(W/O/W) Double Emulsions-Filled Chitosan Hydrogel Beads for Topical Application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Topical drug delivery faces challenges with active ingredient stability and skin penetration.
• Double emulsions offer potential for encapsulating diverse active ingredients.
• Chitosan hydrogels are biocompatible and suitable for drug delivery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize double emulsions-filled chitosan hydrogel beads for topical application.
• To investigate the skin penetration behavior of active ingredients delivered via this system.
• To evaluate the potential for delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic active ingredients.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of double emulsions using a two-step emulsification method.
• Formation of double emulsions-filled chitosan hydrogel beads via extrusion.
• Assessment of structural integrity, stability, and skin permeation efficiency.
• Microstructure analysis and yield efficiency determination.

Main Results:

• Preparation method demonstrated high yield efficiency (>80%) and structural integrity.
• Loading vitamin C into the system increased its retention ratio by 77.6% after 6 weeks.
• Chitosan hydrogel beads significantly enhanced vitamin C permeation (1.7-fold increase at 3% chitosan).
• The system demonstrated efficacy in topical delivery of hydrophobic active ingredients like quercetin.
• First report of chitosan bead stabilization of W/O/W emulsions, increasing hydrophilic active skin uptake 2.6-fold.

Conclusions:

• Double emulsions-filled chitosan hydrogel beads are a feasible and effective system for topical delivery.
• This formulation enhances the stability and skin permeation of encapsulated active ingredients.
• The system shows promise for delivering a wide range of therapeutic compounds, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic.
• This innovative approach offers a significant advancement in topical drug delivery technology.