Non-ionic surfactant vesicles as a carrier system for dermal delivery of (t)-Catechin and their antioxidant effects

摘要

Numerous skin disorders and diseases are related to oxidative stress. The application of an antioxidant, serving as a strong defense agent against oxidation, is of great interest in dermatology yet remains challenging for delivery. This paper aimed to develop a niosome carrier system to deliver the antioxidant (t) Catechin into the skin. (t) Catechin-loaded niosomes were prepared using film hydration technique and the physicochemical properties of drug-loaded niosomes were characterised and investigated by a series of in vitro and ex vivo studies. The optimised formulation displayed an acceptable size in nanoscale (204 nm), high drug entrapment efficiency (49) and amorphous state of drug in niosomes. It was found that (t) Catechin-loaded niosomes could effectively prolong the drug release. Drug deposition in the viable layers of human skin was significantly enhanced when niosomal carriers were applied (p<0.05). Compared to the pure drug, the niosomal formulation had a greater protective effect on the human skin fibroblasts (Fbs). This is consistent with the observation of internalisation of niosomes by Fbs which was concentration-, time- and temperature-dependent, via an energy-dependent process of endocytosis. The research highlighted that niosomes are potential topical carriers for dermal delivery of antioxidants in skin-care and pharmaceutical products.