Abstract: AimTo study the effect of negatively charged and positively charged self-microemulsifying systems (SMES) on the cellular tight junction complex was to be investigated at molecular cell level. MethodsHuman intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell model was established. Effect of formulations on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability of the paracellular transport marker mannitol were measured to evaluate the cell integrity. Changes in subcellular localization of the tight junction protein zona occludens 1 (ZO-1) and cytoskeleton protein actin by immunofluorescence were also assessed after treatment of two SMESs in different dilutions. ResultsThe TEER of cell monolayers was not markedly affected by negatively charged SMES in different dilutions. The positively charged SMES could significantly decrease the TEER (P<0.05) in three dilutions. The full recovery of TEER was found after the treatment of lower dilution for 2 h, then cultured for 48 h, while the recovery of TEER was 81.3% of control in 1∶50 dilution. Two SMESs could enhance the apparent permeability coefficient of mannitol (2.9-64.6 folds), which depended on the dilution times. The immunofluorescent results indicated that the distribution of ZO-1 and actin were discrete in cell membrane after the treatment of formulation. Since the positively charged microemulsion could bind to the epithelial cell membrane by electrostatic interaction, the actin of the cells undergone some kind of stress stimulated by the higher concentration of microemulsion was more markedly affected than the negatively charged SMES. Effect of formulations on ZO-1 and actin relied on the dilution. ConclusionSMES is able to enhance the paracellular transport marker mannitol. The mechanism of opening of tight junctions by SMES might be the change of distribution of ZO-1 and actin.