Assessment of the Influence of the Selected Range of Visible Light Radiation on the Durability of the Gel with Ascorbic Acid and Its Derivative

Abstract

(1) Background: Depending on the type of hydrophilic polymer used, different types of hydrogels may be chemically stable or may degrade and eventually disintegrate, or dissolve upon exposure to sunlight. Many over-the-counter medications are now stored with a limited control of temperature, humidity and lighting. Therefore, in this study, the photostability of a gel made of cross-linked polyacrylic acid (PA), methylcellulose (MC) and aristoflex (AV) was assessed, and the interaction between the polymers used and ascorbic acid and its ethylated derivative was investigated. (2) Methods: The samples were continuously irradiated at constant temperature for six hours. The stability of the substance incorporated into the gels was assessed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. FTIR-ATR infrared spectroscopy was used to measure changes during the exposure. (3) Results: Ascorbic acid completely decomposed between the first and second hours of illumination in all samples. The exception is the preparation based on polyacrylic acid with glycerol, in which the decomposition of ascorbic acid slowed down significantly. After six hours of irradiation, the ethylated ascorbic acid derivative decomposed in about 5% for the polyacrylic acid-based gels and aristoflex, and in the methylcellulose gel it decomposed to about 2%. In the case of ascorbic acid, the most stable formulation was a gel based on polyacrylic acid and polyacrylic acid with glycerol, and in the case of the ethyl derivative, a gel based on methylcellulose. (4) Conclusions: The experiment showed significant differences in the decomposition rate of both compounds, resulting from their photostability and the polymer used in the hydrogel.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) as a Cosmeceutical to Increase Dermal Collagen for Skin Antiaging Purposes: Emerging Combination Therapies

“…Some polyols used in cosmetics can extend the half-lives of AA, and the inclusion of glycerin improved the stability of AA in the water-in-oil emulsion more effectively than the inclusion of propylene glycol [ 79 ]. The photooxidation of AA was significantly slower in a gel preparation based on polyacrylic acid and glycerol compared to a single-component solution [ 99 ].…”

First-Order Derivative Spectrophotometry for Simultaneous Determination of Vitamin C and Nicotinamide: Application in Quantitative Analysis of Cocrystals

“…Spectrophotometric methods were simple, accurate, and precise regarding spectral resolution. Moreover, this enhanced sensitivity widens the opportunities for them to be used as stability-indicating methods in quality control. , The FODS method proved suitable for cocrystal quantification, but not limited to, since it can aid in other types of analysis that require quantification of vitamin C, such as currently done for photostability assays of ASC in creams and gels using UV irradiation sources. , …”

Characteristics of a Lipid Hydrogel and Bigel as Matrices for Ascorbic Acid Stabilization

“…This fact would take place in the HG and the BG but not in the AA system in aqueous solution. According to Golonka et al [ 34 ], the photostability of AA and its derivatives in a hydrophilic environment is related to the substance–polymer interaction. Perhaps, in our formulas, this ionic interaction with the lipid bilayer and ascorbate ion could be related to the ability to stabilize AA that we observe.…”

“…The different micro- and nanostructural organizations of both HG and BG, along with the fundamental role of water and lipids in their composition, suggest that they can be a suitable matrix to incorporate AA and protect it from degradation. An improvement in this research, compared to other similar BGs, hydrogels, and encapsulation strategies found in the literature [ 10 , 13 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], is that our material is composed only of lipids and water. No polymers, resins, acid ascorbic derivatives, or chelating agents (biocompatible or not) are introduced in our formulas.…”