Characterization and Transdermal Delivery of Ethosomes Loaded with Liquiritigenin and Liquiritin

Abstract

Liquiritin and its aglycone, liquiritigenin are flavonoid found in licorice that show anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties. In this study, ethosomes loaded with hydrophobic liquiritigenin or liquiritin were prepared as a transdermal delivery system. The particle size, entrapment efficiency, and skin permeability of ethosomes were evaluated. Ethosome containing liquiritigenin was stable up to 2 mM and ethosome containing liquiritin was stable up to 0.75 mM concentration. The particle size of ethosomes containing 0.75 mM liquiritigenin and liquiritin was 143.85 and 158.90 nm, respectively and the entrapment efficiency was 47.51 and 54.61%, respectively. The entrapment efficiency was improved with increasing concentrations of drugs. Ethosomes loaded with liquiritigenin or liquiritin were superior in skin permeation ability compared to that of 20% ethanol solution and conventional liposomes. These results suggest that ethosomes containing 0.50 mM liquiritigenin or liquiritin are effective for the skin permeation and may be used as an antiaging and antioxidant ingredient in cosmetic formulation.

Log P Determines Licorice Flavonoids Release Behaviors and Classification from CARBOMER Cross-Linked Hydrogel

“…Liquiritin (LiQ) [ 4 ] and isoliquiritin (IsL) [ 5 ] are effective in atopic dermatitis, while isoliquiritigenin (IsLT) [ 6 ] and licochalcone B (LB) [ 7 ] play a vital role in suppressing melanoma cells in the skin. Glabridin (Gla 1) [ 8 ] and licochalcone A (LA) [ 9 , 10 ] possess remarkable anti-melanogenic effect as we previously found, and liquiritigenin (LiQT) [ 11 ] is extensively used in anti-aging cosmetic formulations. The skin protective activities of LFs compounds provide them with great potential for application in topical formulations such as hydrogels [ 12 ].…”