Reduction of Ultraviolet- and Heat-Induced Aging Using Betulin-Loaded Arginine-Caprylate Self-Assembly: Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Cosmetic Science
• Nanotechnology for Drug Delivery
• Biochemistry of Skin Aging

Background:

• Betulin possesses significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties beneficial for preventing skin aging.
• Limited solubility of betulin in cosmetic solvents hinders its effective application in skincare products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanocarrier system (B-ACS) to enhance betulin's solubility and delivery for anti-aging applications.
• To evaluate the efficacy of B-ACS in protecting against UV- and heat-induced skin damage both in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• A betulin-loaded arginine-caprylate ion pair nanocarrier (B-ACS) was synthesized and characterized.
• In vitro studies assessed B-ACS's antioxidant activity, skin permeability, and protective effects against UVB-induced damage in HaCaT cells.
• In vivo studies utilized 3D reconstructed human skin models and a pilot clinical trial to evaluate B-ACS's impact on UVA-induced damage, collagen, aquaporin-3, and clinical skin parameters.

Main Results:

• B-ACS demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (98.3%) and superior ROS scavenging compared to free betulin.
• In vitro, B-ACS significantly reduced UVB-induced inflammatory markers and protected against UVA-induced collagen degradation.
• Clinical studies showed B-ACS cream significantly improved skin elasticity, brightness, and reduced pigmentation, TEWL, and heat-aging markers.

Conclusions:

• The developed B-ACS nanocarrier effectively enhances betulin's solubility and skin penetration.
• B-ACS offers a promising therapeutic agent for combating UV- and heat-induced skin aging with demonstrated clinical benefits.