Enhanced skin delivery of quercetin by microemulsion.
OBJECTIVE
For topical application of quercetin it is necessary to improve the low efficiency of its intradermal delivery as well as its low solubility in aqueous and organic vesicles. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of a microemulsion for that purpose.


METHODS
A microemulsion consisting of isopropyl myristate, 150 mM NaCl solution, Tween 80 and ethanol was prepared. The skin delivery of quercetin by microemulsion using excised guinea-pig and Yucatan micropig skin in Franz diffusion cells was examined. Lipid peroxidation in skin was also tested using iron(II) and citrate.


RESULTS
Using a w/o microemulsion as a vehicle, intradermal delivery of quercetin was significantly increased, as was its solubility. Quercetin penetrated deep into the skin, but no transfer was observed into the receptor compartment. It was confirmed that quercetin retained in the skin dose-dependently inhibited lipid peroxidation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate the potential use of microemulsions for the skin delivery of quercetin, where it exerts antioxidative effects.
Kitagawa
Shuji
S
Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan. shuji@kobepharma-u.ac.jp
Tanaka
Yuko
Y
Tanaka
Manami
M
Endo
Kanako
K
Yoshii
Akiko
A
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012995:Solubility; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
D000975:Antioxidants; D004655:Emulsions; D011794:Quercetin