Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) composed of argan oil, the potential novel vehicle for caffeine delivery to stratum corneum and hair follicles

Abstract

Objective(s): The optimal formulation of Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) that contains argan oil and caffeine was considered to be developed as a topical treatment for hair loss. Materials and Methods: 26 batches were prepared according to the central composite design. Dynamic light scattering technique showed size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential, and electron microscopy depicted the morphology of NLCs. Caffeine encapsulation efficiency (EE) was measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to show caffeine and NLCs interactions. The caffeine invivo morin model was designed to determine the caffeine penetration into follicles and stratum corneum. Results: The optimal formulation consisted of 2% lipid, 2% surfactant, stearic acid/argan oil ratio of 3.5, and span/tween ratio of 1.25. Its spherical NLCs size, PDI, and zeta potential were 256.2 nm, 0.225, and -25.4 respectively. The caffeine EE% was 89% which was homogenously encapsulated in NLCs as shown in FTIR analysis. In vivo studies showed these nanoparticles have the ability to accumulate in the hair follicles by the time. Conclusion: The NLC formulation optimized in this study is a potential formulation for intrafollicular delivery of caffeine.

Keywords

• argan oil
• caffeine
• intrafollicular delivery
• nanostructured lipid carriers