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Published on: August 31, 2019
Preparation of Quercetin-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticle-Embedded Hydrogels and Stability Studies
Chatchapong Tangjidapichai1, Sarin Tadtong1, Chuda Chittasupho2
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Stabilizing quercetin for topical use was achieved by encapsulating it in lipid nanoparticles (QLNs) within a Carbopol hydrogel. This formulation maintained quercetin
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutics
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Quercetin, a flavonoid, possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Poor solubility, low bioavailability, and chemical instability limit quercetin's topical application.
- Novel formulation strategies are needed to enhance quercetin's stability and efficacy for skin delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a formulation strategy for stabilizing quercetin for topical use.
- To encapsulate quercetin into lipid nanoparticles (QLNs) and embed them within a Carbopol hydrogel.
- To comprehensively assess the physicochemical and functional stability of the developed QLN-hydrogel formulation.
Main Methods:
- Quercetin encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles (QLNs).
- Embedding QLNs into a Carbopol hydrogel matrix.
- Validated HPLC-PDA assay for quercetin quantification.
- In vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) and anti-inflammatory (NO inhibition) assays.
- Forced degradation studies under various stress conditions (acidic, basic, oxidative, photolytic).
- Stability testing through heating-cooling cycles and 180-day storage at multiple temperatures.
Main Results:
- QLN-hydrogel formulation demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50: 6.84 µg/mL, ABTS IC50: 4.04 µg/mL, FRAP: 301.46 µg/mL).
- Effective anti-inflammatory action observed in LPS-stimulated macrophages, reducing nitric oxide (NO) production.
- Degradation pathways were mapped, showing greater stability in acidic and oxidative conditions compared to basic and photolytic.
- Formulations retained >90% quercetin and preserved bioactivity after 180 days of storage and heating-cooling cycles.
Conclusions:
- A robust formulation strategy using QLN-hydrogel successfully stabilized quercetin.
- The developed formulation maintains quercetin's chemical integrity and potent bioactivities for topical applications.
- This approach offers a promising pathway for the development of effective quercetin-based dermatological products.
