Biodegradable polymer nanocapsules containing a sunscreen agent: preparation and photoprotection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Biodegradable polymer nanocapsules are promising drug delivery systems.
• Lipophilic sunscreens require effective encapsulation for stability and efficacy.
• Parsol MCX (OMC) is a lipophilic UV-filtering agent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize biodegradable polymer nanocapsules containing Parsol MCX (OMC).
• To evaluate the influence of polysorbate 85 (P-85) and poloxamer 188 (P-188) as stabilizing agents.
• To assess the loading capacity and photoprotective potential of the developed nanocapsules.

Main Methods:

• Solvent displacement technique for nanocapsule preparation.
• Investigation of P-85 and P-188 as stabilizing agents.
• Assessment of OMC loading capacity and in vitro release kinetics.
• Evaluation of photoprotective potential against UV-induced erythema.

Main Results:

• Nanocapsules were successfully formed via solvent displacement, driven by interfacial instability.
• Polysorbate 85 demonstrated superior stabilization of poly(epsilon-Caprolactone)-nanocapsules compared to P-188.
• High OMC loading capacity (99+/-1%) was achieved.
• In vitro OMC release was influenced by polymer properties and drug lipophilicity.
• OMC-loaded nanocapsules provided significant photoprotection against UV erythema, outperforming conventional gels.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable nanocapsules effectively encapsulate lipophilic sunscreen OMC.
• P-85 is a more effective stabilizer for OMC-loaded nanocapsules than P-188.
• The developed nanocapsules offer improved UV protection compared to traditional formulations.