A Baicalin Liposome-Based Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel for Treating Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Damage

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure causes skin damage, aging, and increases skin cancer risk.
• Baicalin (BA) possesses potent antioxidant properties but suffers from poor solubility, limiting its topical application.
• Effective dermal delivery systems are needed to harness baicalin's therapeutic potential for UV-induced skin damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel temperature-sensitive hydrogel drug delivery system for baicalin.
• To formulate baicalin liposomes (BA-LP) and incorporate them into an injectable, temperature-sensitive chitosan-based hydrogel (BA-LG).
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, in vitro release, biosafety, and therapeutic efficacy of the BA-LG system for UVB-induced skin damage.

Main Methods:

• Baicalin liposomes (BA-LP) were prepared using lecithin.
• A temperature-sensitive hydrogel (BA-LG) was constructed using BA-LP, chitosan, and β-glycerophosphate.
• Physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, cell viability (CCK8, transwell co-culture), and in vivo efficacy in a UVB-induced mouse model were assessed.

Main Results:

• BA-LG exhibited favorable gelation properties at 37°C, good injectability, spreading, and adhesion.
• In vitro studies showed sustained release of baicalin from the hydrogel over 24 hours.
• The BA-LG formulation demonstrated excellent biosafety on HaCaT cells and significantly mitigated UVB-induced skin damage in mice by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conclusions:

• The developed temperature-sensitive baicalin liposome gel (BA-LG) is a promising formulation for treating UV-induced skin damage.
• BA-LG offers enhanced therapeutic efficacy and good biosafety, overcoming the solubility limitations of baicalin.
• This innovative hydrogel system holds significant potential for topical dermatological applications.