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In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
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Nashiru Billa ,
Andrew Morris
Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, Pages: 1 - 11
Swansea University Author:
Andrew Morris
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© 2025 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
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DOI (Published version): 10.1080/01932691.2025.2542342
Abstract
Curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa has shown anticancer activities against many types of cancers including melanoma. Tocotrienol is a chemosensitizer, and combining curcumin with tocotrienol may potentiate the anti-cancer activity with less harm to healthy cells. However, due to low aqueous solubi...
| Published in: | Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology |
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| ISSN: | 0193-2691 1532-2351 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70181 |
| Abstract: |
Curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa has shown anticancer activities against many types of cancers including melanoma. Tocotrienol is a chemosensitizer, and combining curcumin with tocotrienol may potentiate the anti-cancer activity with less harm to healthy cells. However, due to low aqueous solubility and poor skin permeation, topical delivery of these drug combinations is challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin and tocotrienol for enhanced topical applications. Zetasizer analysis of the transethosomal formulation (Cu-TRF Ets) showed an average particle size of 129.3 ± 3.0 nm and a zeta potential (ZP) of − 87.5 ± 3.0 mV. The scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis revealed spherical shapes, with sizes corroborating with Zetasizer results. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis ensured the compatibility of the drugs within the formulations, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the solid-state nature of curcumin in the formulation. The drug release from the formulations followed a release pattern closely fitting the Korsmeyer-Peppas release model. Permeation studies across synthetic Strat-M® membrane and full-thickness human skin demonstrated an enhanced transdermal flux of curcumin and tocotrienol from the Cu-TRF Ets compared to their pure drug solutions (p < .05). The rheological evaluation of the transethosome-loaded hydrogel demonstrated a pseudoplastic behavior, and the data approximated the Hershel-Buckley model. The study concludes that co-delivering curcumin and tocotrienol in transethosomal formulations can address the formulation issues associated with both curcumin and tocotrienol, while also enhancing skin permeation. |
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| Keywords: |
Curcumin, tocotrienol, transethosomes, topical, skin permeation |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
University of Nottingham Malaysia; Swansea University |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
11 |