Work

Cyano-phycocyanin loaded enriched transfersomes for enhanced topical skin delivery and antioxidant protection

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to develop and evaluate cyano-phycocyanin (C-PC)-loaded transfersomes enriched with glycerol, sodium hyaluronate, or both, for topical application and improved skin delivery. Six formulations were prepared using an organic solvent-free two-step method: glycerol-enriched (Gly-transfersomes), glycerol and cholesterol-enriched (Gly-chol-transfersomes), hyaluronate-enriched (Hyal-transfersomes), hyaluronate and cholesterol-enriched (Hyal-chol-transfersomes), glycerol and hyaluronate-enriched (Hyal-gly-transfersomes), and a combination of all three (Hyal-gly-chol-transfersomes). Empty vesicles were prepared via direct sonication, then C-PC was gently loaded into them using mild sonication in a temperature controlled ultrasonic bath. All formulations showed properties suitable for skin delivery, with mean diameters below 115 nm and polydispersity indexes under 0.2. Cryo- transmission electron microscopy confirmed spherical, unilamellar or oligolamellar morphology. Gly- and Gly-chol-transfersomes exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (~52%) and remained stable for up to 8 months at 4 °C. Antioxidant activity of C-PC (~23–27 μmol TE/g of dry C-PC) was confirmed via DPPH assay. Biological tests on HaCaT cells exposed to H2O2- induced oxidative stress showed ~80% cell viability after treatment with C-PC formulations, compared to ~60% in untreated cells, confirming cytoprotective effects. This preserved activity indicated that the encapsulation method maintained the structural integrity of C-PC. Finally, ex vivo skin penetration studies revealed significantly higher C-PC deposition in the epidermis with Gly- and Gly-chol-transfersomes than with aqueous C-PC, supporting their potential as efficient carriers for preventive skin care.

Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.126079