title: Comparison of two encapsulated curcumin particular systems contained in different formulations with regard to in vitro skin penetration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic properties. However, the strong lipophilic compound is not easily applicable, neither in water, nor directly in o/w formulations. So far, loading of nano or micro scaled carriers has enabled only an uptake up to 30% of curcumin.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present article, curcumin was successfully encapsulated into two different safe and inexpensive polymers, ethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose blended ethyl cellulose with a loading capacity of ~ 46-48%. In addition, the in vitro skin penetration of the two curcumin encapsulated particular systems, which were applied each in three different formulations, an o/w, w/o lotion, and water suspension, was investigated on porcine ear skin using Laser scanning microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that in comparison to water suspensions, o/w and w/o lotions enhanced, especially the follicular penetration of the encapsulated curcumin particles into porcine skin, whereas the w/o enhanced the penetration better than the o/w lotion. Furthermore, the application of ethyl cellulose blended with methyl cellulose improved the penetration of curcumin in all formulations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High loaded encapsulated curcumin systems, prepared from a simple and highly efficient encapsulation system can be used to transport curcumin effectively into the skin.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suwannateep
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanichwecharungruang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fluhr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patzelt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meinke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002214:Capsules / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003474:Curcumin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004431:Ear, External; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013552:Swine; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002214:Capsules; D004337:Drug Carriers; D014867:Water; C013517:ethyl cellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008747:Methylcellulose; D003474:Curcumin