Application of Novel Technologies in the Evaluationof Traditional Chinese medicine Dermatopharmacokinetics

Evaluating the absorption of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations in skin has long been a challenge in cutaneous pharmacokinetic studies of TCM. In recent years, various new techniques have been developed to more accurately characterize and predict the pharmacokinetic profiles of these formulations. These include tape stripping, vasoconstriction assay, microdialysis/open-flow microperfusion, confocal Raman microscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), microfluidic technology, and pharmacokinetic computational models. This review systematically summarizes the application progress of these methods in the evaluation of cutaneous pharmacokinetics of TCM, highlights their technical features and suitable scenarios, and discusses future development trends, providing new research perspectives for further understanding the dynamic changes, spatial distribution characteristics of active ingredients in the skin, and the rationality of compatibility in topical preparations.