Formulation and In Vitro Penetration Study of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor-Loaded Transfersomal Emulgel

Abstract

Purpose : Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) is a 6045-Da peptide that promotes the cell growth process, and it is also used for cosmetic purposes as an anti-aging compound. However, its penetration into skin is limited by its large molecular size. This study aimed to prepare rhEGF-loaded transfersomal emulgel with enhanced skin penetration compared with that of non-transfersomal rhEGF emulgel. Methods: Three transfersome formulations were prepared with different ratios between the lipid vesicle (phospholipid and surfactant) and rhEGF (200:1, 133:1, and 100:1) using a thin-film hydration-extrusion method. The physicochemical properties of these transfersomes and the percutaneous delivery of the transfersomal emulgel were evaluated. Long-term and accelerated stability studies were also conducted. Results: The 200:1 ratio of lipid to drug was optimal for rhEGF-loaded transfersomes, which had a particle size of 128.1 ± 0.66 nm, polydispersity index of 0.109 ± 0.004, zeta potential of −43.1 ± 1.07 mV, deformability index of 1.254 ± 0.02, and entrapment efficiency of 97.77% ± 0.09%. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the transfersomes had spherical and unilamellar vesicles. The skin penetration of rhEGF was enhanced by as much as 5.56 fold by transfersomal emulgel compared with that of non-transfersomal emulgel. The stability study illustrated that the rhEGF levels after 3 months were 84.96–105.73 and 54.45%–66.13% at storage conditions of 2°C–8°C and 25°C ± 2°C/RH 60% ± 5%, respectively. Conclusion: The emulgel preparation containing transfersomes enhanced rhEGF penetration into the skin, and skin penetration was improved by increasing the lipid content.

Development of transfersomal emulgel to enhance the permeation of berberine chloride for transdermal delivery

“…Also, BBR has low permeability due to the presence of methoxy and ammonium quartener groups in its structure, as shown in Figure 1 (Li et al, 2017;Narade and Pore, 2019). This is in line with a study by Torky et al (2018), which showed that the permeation ability of BBR gel into the skin was restricted and many drugs stayed on the skin surface.…”

“…The PDI values of the four transfersome formulae were satisfactory. According to Surini et al (2020) and Danaei et al (2018), PDI values less than 0.3 indicated that the particle size distribution of the vesicles is homogeneous and acceptable. Moreover, the PDI of the BBR transfersomes is shown in Table 3.…”

“…Furthermore, the size of the vesicle was measured using the dynamic light scattering technique. Meanwhile, the deformability index of transfersomes suspension was determined using the following equation (Surini et al, 2020):…”

Formulation and Characterization of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia Linn.) Fruit Fraction Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

“…In drug delivery applications using lipid-based carriers, a PDI of 0.3 and below is considered to be acceptable and indicates a homogenous population of phospholipid vesicles. 27 The particle size in the dispersion system can influence by the zeta potential (ZP) value. The zeta potential describes the properties of the electrostatic potential near the surface of a particle.…”

Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Containing 5-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid-Rich Cratoxylum formosum Leaf Extract for Skin Application

“…Studies have shown that the chemical stability of sensitive molecules can be improved by nanoscale particles, such as transfersomes, nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). [17][18][19][20] In the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, NLCs have received much attention for use in conserving biological properties, controlling release, and enhancing bioavailability. 21 In our preliminary study, 22 some NLC factors were screened to select their relevant ranges for encapsulation of phenolics from CFE.…”