Design and Characterization of Lipid-Surfactant-Based Systems for Enhancing Topical Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ursolic Acid

Skin inflammation is a symptom of many skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, which cause rashes, redness, heat, or blistering. The use of natural products with anti-inflammatory properties has gained importance in treating these symptoms. Ursolic acid (UA), a promising natural co...

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Published in:Pharmaceutics 2023-01, Vol.15 (2), p.366
Main Authors: Fonseca-Santos, Bruno, Araujo, Giovanna Angeli, Ferreira, Paula Scanavez, Victorelli, Francesca Damiani, Pironi, Andressa Maria, Araújo, Victor Hugo Sousa, Carvalho, Suzana Gonçalves, Chorilli, Marlus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Anti-inflammatory drugs
bioadhesion
Care and treatment
Data analysis
Drug delivery systems
Geometry
Health aspects
inflammation
Materials
Microemulsions
Microscopy
Pharmaceuticals
Rheology
Shear stress
skin
Skin diseases
Structure
surfactant
Surfactants
Terpenes
Testing
topical product
Transdermal medication
Ultrasonic imaging
ursolic acid
Viscosity
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Summary:Skin inflammation is a symptom of many skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, which cause rashes, redness, heat, or blistering. The use of natural products with anti-inflammatory properties has gained importance in treating these symptoms. Ursolic acid (UA), a promising natural compound that is used to treat skin diseases, exhibits low aqueous solubility, resulting in poor absorption and low bioavailability. Designing topical formulations focuses on providing adequate delivery via application to the skin surface. The aim of this study was to formulate and characterize lipid-surfactant-based systems for the delivery of UA. Microemulsions and liquid crystalline systems (LCs) were characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), rheology techniques, and textural and bioadhesive assays. PLM supported the self-assembly of these systems and elucidated their formation. Rheologic examination revealed pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior appropriate, and assays confirmed the ability of these formulations to adhere to the skin. In vivo studies were performed, and inflammation induced by croton oil was assessed for response to microemulsions and LCs. UA anti-inflammatory activities of ~60% and 50% were demonstrated by two microemulsions and 40% and 35% by two LCs, respectively. These data support the continued development of colloidal systems to deliver UA to ameliorate skin inflammation.
ISSN:1999-4923
1999-4923
DOI:10.3390/pharmaceutics15020366