Elastic cationic liposomes for vitamin C delivery: Development, characterization and skin absorption study

Author(s)

Carita, Amanda C. ; de Azevedo, Jacqueline Resende ; Chevalier, Yves ; Arquier, Delphine ; Buri, Marcus, V ; Riske, Karin A. ; Leonardi, Gislaine Ricci ; Bolzinger, Marie-Alexandrine

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics; v. 638, p. 11-pg., 2023-04-07.

Abstract

The influence of hydrophilic surfactants acting on the membrane elasticity of liposomes on the skin absorption of vitamin C is investigated. The purpose of encapsulation inside cationic liposomes is to improve the skin delivery of vitamin C. The properties of elastic liposomes (ELs) are compared to that of conventional liposomes (CLs). ELs are formed by the addition of the "edge activator" Polysorbate 80 to the CLs composed of soybean lecithin, cationic lipid DOTAP (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammoniopropane chloride), and cholesterol. The liposomes are characterized by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. No toxicity is detected in human keratinocyte cells. Evidences of Polysorbate 80 incorporation into liposome bilayers and of the higher flexibility of ELs are given by isothermal titration calorimetry and pore edge tension measurements in giant unilamellar vesicles. The presence of a positive charge in the liposomal membrane increases the encapsulation efficacy by approximately 30% for both CLs and ELs. Skin absorption of vitamin C from CLs, ELs and a control aqueous solution measured in Franz cells shows a high delivery of vitamin C into each skin layer and the acceptor fluid from both liposome types. These results suggest that another mechanism drives skin diffusion, involving interactions between cationic lipids and vitamin C depending on the skin pH. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/06973-4 - Development and characterization of Liquid Crystal Emulsions and Pickering emulsions for ascorbic acid
• Grantee: Gislaine Ricci Leonardi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/13368-4 - Nanostructured systems: from membrane biomimetic models to carriers of bioactives
• Grantee: Karin Do Amaral Riske
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants