title: Formulation, characterization, and in vitro/ex vivo evaluation of quercetin-loaded microemulsion for topical application.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a new microemulsion formulation for topical application of poorly soluble drug named quercetin. In order to design suitable microemulsion system, the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of microemulsion systems were constructed at different surfactant/co-surfactant ratios using tween 80 as surfactant, transcutol®P as a co-surfactant and oleic acid as an oil phase. Some physicochemical properties such as droplet size, density, refractive index, electrical conductivity, pH, surface tension, and viscosity of the microemulsion systems were measured at 298.15 K. The average hydrodynamic droplet size of the optimized microemulsions was obtained by dynamic light scattering method. Morphology assessment of the optimized quercetin-loaded microemulsion by transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the particles have the size of about 25 nm and spherical with narrow size distribution. Equilibrium solubility, in vitro drug release at a 24 h time period, release kinetic evaluation as well as ex vivo permeation and retention of quercetin-loaded microemulsions through rat skin has been investigated. The obtained results showed a slow release behavior without any transdermal delivery. Most of the formulations fitted best with zero-order kinetic model with a non-Fickian mechanisms. This study illustrated that the proposed QU-microemulsion has a good potential for use in sunscreen formulations. [Formula: see text].
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Arak University , Arak , Iran.
authors.forename: Azar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kajbafvala
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Arak University , Arak , Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salabat
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy , Nanotechnology Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran.
authors.forename: Anayatollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salimi
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D065546:Drug Liberation; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004655:Emulsions; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011136:Polysorbates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D019301:Oleic Acid; D011794:Quercetin; C010111:carbitol
keywords: Quercetin; drug release; microemulsion; penetration; topical delivery