L-Serine and glycine based ceramide analogues as transdermal permeation enhancers: polar head size and hydrogen bonding

Novel transdermal permeation enhancers related to stratum corneum ceramides were investigated. The synthesis of a series of simple compounds based on two selected amino acids, -serine and glycine, and their enhancement activities are reported. Glycine derivative 3 enhanced the permeation of theophylline through human skin in vitro 12.5±0.5 times. The relationships between properties of the polar head of the compounds and their activity are discussed.