Comparison of Artificial Sebum with Human and Hamster Sebum Samples

The study developed an artificial sebum, named L, to investigate drug transport properties for hair and sebaceous follicles, comparing it with human sebum and hamster sebum, which is often used in animal models. The partition and diffusion of three model compounds were measured across human, hamster ear and body sebum, and four artificial sebum samples (N, S, F, and L). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) studies assessed the melting properties and chemical compositions of these sebum samples. The results showed that the partition coefficients and in vitro sebum flux of the model compounds in artificial sebum L were similar to those in human sebum, making it a suitable surrogate for human sebum in drug delivery studies. In contrast, the other artificial sebum samples (N, S, and F) and hamster sebums showed different properties from human sebum.