Novel Gel Microemulsion as Topical Drug Delivery System for Curcumin in Dermatocosmetics
Cristina Scomoroscenco,
Mircea Teodorescu,
Adina Raducan,
Miruna Stan,
Sorina Nicoleta Voicu,
Bodgan Trica,
Claudia Mihaela Ninciuleanu,
Cristina Lavinia Nistor,
Catalin Ionut Mihaescu,
Cristian Petcu,
Ludmila Otilia Cinteza
Affiliations
Cristina Scomoroscenco
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Mircea Teodorescu
Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 010737 Bucharest, Romania
Adina Raducan
Physical Chemistry Department, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
Miruna Stan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, ICUB-Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Sorina Nicoleta Voicu
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, ICUB-Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Bodgan Trica
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Claudia Mihaela Ninciuleanu
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Cristina Lavinia Nistor
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Catalin Ionut Mihaescu
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Cristian Petcu
Polymer Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania
Ludmila Otilia Cinteza
Physical Chemistry Department, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
Gel microemulsion combines the advantages of the microemulsion, which can encapsulate, protect and deliver large quantities of active ingredients, and the gel, which is so appreciated in the cosmetic industry. This study aimed to develop and characterize new gel microemulsions suitable for topical cosmetic applications, using grape seed oil as the oily phase, which is often employed in pharmaceuticals, especially in cosmetics. The optimized microemulsion was formulated using Tween 80 and Plurol® Diisostearique CG as a surfactant mix and ethanol as a co-solvent. Three different water-soluble polymers were selected in order to increase the viscosity of the microemulsion: Carbopol® 980 NF, chitosan, and sodium hyaluronate salt. All used ingredients are safe, biocompatible and biodegradable. Curcumin was chosen as a model drug. The obtained systems were physico-chemically characterized by means of electrical conductivity, dynamic light scattering, polarized microscopy and rheometric measurements. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity was accomplished by MTT assay. In the final phase of the study, the release behavior of Curcumin from the optimized microemulsion and two gel microemulsions was evaluated. Additionally, mathematical models were applied to establish the kinetic release mechanism. The obtained gel microemulsions could be effective systems for incorporation and controlled release of the hydrophobic active ingredients.
