Evaluation of stability, cutaneous penetration and antioxidant activity of quercetin encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers of shea butter and coconut oil

• Grant number: 13/00844-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Priscyla Daniely Marcato Gaspari
• Grantee: Jéssica Rodrigues Dias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Oxidative stress generated by degradation products of metabolism and cellular respiration, as well as substances found in food, is among the causes of lipid peroxidation of skin layers that contribute to skin aging. Thus, there is a growing application of antioxidant compounds, in order to delay the senescence process. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants species, which has antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory and photoprotective, however exhibits photosensitivity, low chemical stability, and insolubility in water. These properties indicate that quercetin needs to be incorporated in particulate systems in order to become effective in its clinical application. Thus, the use of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) has been the preferential choice for drug delivery system for topical administration due to properties associated with this system, which contribute to maintaining the chemical stability and photostability of the drug, enhance molecules skin permeation and prolong the drug time in the skin. In this project, CLN will be developed for quercetin incorporation, composed of a natural lipids mixture of shea butter and coconut oil, that have emollient, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which support the choice of these lipids in order to add their properties with those of quercetin. CLNs will be characterized by size, surface charge, morphology, and stability. Furthermore, studies of quercetin stability, in vitro skin permeation, antioxidant effects, and determination of encapsulation efficiency will be carried out, in order to develop new strategies for antioxidant application in topical formulations using natural materials. Thus, it is expected that the CLNs will be able to carry quercetin through progressive release, leading to increase dermal penetration and greater stability of quercetin in cosmetic formulations. (AU)