A novel dermal delivery system using natural spicules for cosmetics and therapeutics

Dermal delivery is versatile in therapeutics as well as cosmetics in pursuit of enhancing safety/efficacy and alleviating pain/fear to alternate oral/injective administrations. Natural siliceous spicules offer a potential approach via simple topical medications to circumvent poor penetrations through the skin barrier by loading, carrying, and releasing the active ingredients in a highly efficient and controlled manner.

The delivery of ingredients loaded on spicules is assessed to improve the dermal efficacy compared to simple topical treatments.

First, needle-like spicules were isolated from natural freshwater sponges. Then, the active ingredient was loaded via liposome formations. Finally, the dermal efficiency was evaluated.

Natural siliceous spicules were purified, sorted, and fully characterized to appear 250 μm of length and 12 μm of diameter on average. A model ingredient, pectolinarin, was efficiently loaded onto the internal space of spicules via lecithin-based liposome formations. The penetration was visualized using a porcine skin sample with a fluorescent dye and assessed quantitatively by a Franz diffusion cell system. Dermal absorption rate was measured 73.4%, while the percutaneous penetration rate was 2.2%. The release pattern turned out a simple diffusion analyzed by Fick's law and Higuchi model. The liposomes loaded onto spicules were further stabilized by a hydrophobic capsulation, which may benefit the overall efficacy of the ingredient.

A novel dermal delivery system is beneficial to improve the topical efficacy of biologically active ingredients. The outcomes shed a light upon developing skin-protective/improving cosmetics and therapeutics with enhanced performance.