Formulation and performance evaluation of emulgel platform for combined skin delivery of curcumin and propolis

Abstract

The environment can modify the physiology and body protective function of the skin. Propolis (PRP) and curcumin (CUR) possess important antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and they can be administered in a combined way and using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Emulgels can control drug release due to the physicochemical properties of the gel and the emulsion. They constitute a good strategy for achieving an improved platform for the combined delivery of PRP and CUR. There are no other studies of emulgels composed of PRP and CUR and their performance as antimicrobial and skin healing using or not PDT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Carbopol 934 P (C934P), 974 P (C974P) or polycarbophil (PC) on physicochemical stability, antioxidant activity, drug release profile, antimicrobial activity, and ex vivo skin permeation and retention of emulgels containing PRP and CUR. Formulations containing C974P or PC displayed improved stability and antioxidant activity. They displayed activity against Staphylococcus aureus and modified (extended) drug release, governed mainly by non-Fickian anomalous transport. C974P and PC resulted in improved emulgels for combined CUR and PRP delivery, allowing the drugs to cross the stratum corneum, and permeate the epidermis, reaching the dermis. The selected emulgels are candidates for further studies to prove their action and benefits to skin health.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Development
• emulsion
• drug delivery
• formulation
• antioxidant
• skin permeation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors are thankful to the Brazilian funding agencies CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior/Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education of Brazil; Finance code 001, CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development of Brazil; Processes n° 307695/2020-4 and 404163/2021-1) and FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos/Financier of Studies and Projects of Brazil) for their support.