No Cover Image

Journal article 300 views 69 downloads

In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications

Rajesh Sreedharan Nair Orcid Logo, Nashiru Billa Orcid Logo, Andrew Morris Orcid Logo

Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, Pages: 1 - 11

Swansea University Author: Andrew Morris Orcid Logo

  • 70181.VOR.pdf

    PDF | Version of Record

    © 2025 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

    Download (1.91MB)

Check full text

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...

Full description

Published in: Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology
ISSN: 0193-2691 1532-2351
Published: Informa UK Limited 2025
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70181
first_indexed 2025-08-14T14:09:01Z
last_indexed 2026-02-03T05:30:16Z
id cronfa70181
recordtype SURis
fullrecord <?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2026-02-02T14:12:51.8977819</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>70181</id><entry>2025-08-14</entry><title>In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>3d7a7f540a5143114fcaf67e4c68d151</sid><ORCID>0000-0002-6315-7553</ORCID><firstname>Andrew</firstname><surname>Morris</surname><name>Andrew Morris</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2025-08-14</date><deptcode>MEDS</deptcode><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&#x2009;&#xB1;&#x2009;3.0&#x2009;nm and a zeta potential (ZP) of &#x2212; 87.5&#x2009;&#xB1;&#x2009;3.0&#x2009;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&#xAE; 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&#x2009;&lt;&#x2009;.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.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology</journal><volume>0</volume><journalNumber/><paginationStart>1</paginationStart><paginationEnd>11</paginationEnd><publisher>Informa UK Limited</publisher><placeOfPublication/><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint>0193-2691</issnPrint><issnElectronic>1532-2351</issnElectronic><keywords>Curcumin, tocotrienol, transethosomes, topical, skin permeation</keywords><publishedDay>19</publishedDay><publishedMonth>8</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2025</publishedYear><publishedDate>2025-08-19</publishedDate><doi>10.1080/01932691.2025.2542342</doi><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Medical School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>MEDS</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal)</apcterm><funders>University of Nottingham Malaysia; Swansea University</funders><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-02-02T14:12:51.8977819</lastEdited><Created>2025-08-14T15:06:15.6007804</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences</level><level id="2">Swansea University Medical School - Pharmacy</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Rajesh Sreedharan</firstname><surname>Nair</surname><orcid>0000-0002-8540-5044</orcid><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Nashiru</firstname><surname>Billa</surname><orcid>0000-0002-8496-1882</orcid><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>Andrew</firstname><surname>Morris</surname><orcid>0000-0002-6315-7553</orcid><order>3</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>70181__35272__deb3ab9ff98548d8b1d17c526cd11d5a.pdf</filename><originalFilename>70181.VOR.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2025-10-07T14:32:46.2291882</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>2005947</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>Version of Record</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>&#xA9; 2025 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling 2026-02-02T14:12:51.8977819 v2 70181 2025-08-14 In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications 3d7a7f540a5143114fcaf67e4c68d151 0000-0002-6315-7553 Andrew Morris Andrew Morris true false 2025-08-14 MEDS 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. Journal Article Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology 0 1 11 Informa UK Limited 0193-2691 1532-2351 Curcumin, tocotrienol, transethosomes, topical, skin permeation 19 8 2025 2025-08-19 10.1080/01932691.2025.2542342 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University SU Library paid the OA fee (TA Institutional Deal) University of Nottingham Malaysia; Swansea University 2026-02-02T14:12:51.8977819 2025-08-14T15:06:15.6007804 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Pharmacy Rajesh Sreedharan Nair 0000-0002-8540-5044 1 Nashiru Billa 0000-0002-8496-1882 2 Andrew Morris 0000-0002-6315-7553 3 70181__35272__deb3ab9ff98548d8b1d17c526cd11d5a.pdf 70181.VOR.pdf 2025-10-07T14:32:46.2291882 Output 2005947 application/pdf Version of Record true © 2025 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
spellingShingle In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
Andrew Morris
title_short In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
title_full In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
title_fullStr In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
title_full_unstemmed In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
title_sort In vitro skin permeation and rheological evaluation of a transethosomal formulation containing curcumin-tocotrienol combinations for enhanced topical applications
author_id_str_mv 3d7a7f540a5143114fcaf67e4c68d151
author_id_fullname_str_mv 3d7a7f540a5143114fcaf67e4c68d151_***_Andrew Morris
author Andrew Morris
author2 Rajesh Sreedharan Nair
Nashiru Billa
Andrew Morris
format Journal article
container_title Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology
container_volume 0
container_start_page 1
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 0193-2691
1532-2351
doi_str_mv 10.1080/01932691.2025.2542342
publisher Informa UK Limited
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Pharmacy{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Pharmacy
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description 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.
published_date 2025-08-19T05:30:43Z
_version_ 1856805634110914560
score 11.095862

Similar Items