Objective: To study the permeation of liquiritigenin (LQG) and liquiritin (LQ) as licorice flavonoids into the skin, we prepared ceramide liposome-in-cellulose hydrogel complex system.
Methods: Liposome-in-hydrogel complex systems were developed by incorporating ceramide liposomes into cellulose hydrogels by the swelling method. We evaluated their physical and chemical properties, encapsulation efficiency and skin permeability using Franz Diffusion Cell. It was visually seen by CLSM images analysis.
Results: The ceramide liposome, consisting of biocompatible lipid membranes, remained stable for over 3 weeks. Encapsulation efficiencies for liquiritigenin and liquiritin-loaded liposome-in-hydrogel were 69.39% and 64.71%, respectively. Liposome-in-hydrogel complex systems (LQG: 56.55%, LQ: 66.99%) had greater skin permeability than control (LQG: 4.92%, LQ: 5.30%) or a single liposome systems (LQG: 43.34%, LQ: 48.97%) and hydrogel systems (LQG: 38.21%, LQ: 55.07%).
Conclusion: Liposome-in-hydrogel system can be a potential drug delivery system for topical delivery of antioxidants such as licorice flavonoids to construct antioxidative skin barrier.
Keywords: cellulose hydrogel; ceramide liposome; liquiritigenin; liquiritin; skin permeation.
© 2014 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.