Novel composite fatty acid vesicles-in-Pluronic lecithin organogels for enhanced magnolol delivery in skin cancer treatment.

A novel composite carrier composed of Pluronic lecithin organogels and fatty acid vesicles was used to enhance the stability and facilitate the topical delivery of a natural bioactive drug, magnolol (Mag), for treatment of skin cancer. Jojoba oil was incorporated in the organogel (OG) base to provide a synergistic effect in treatment of skin cancer. The organoleptic properties, rheological behavior, morphology, and drug content of the OG formulations were investigated with emphasis on the impact of vesicle loading on the OG characteristics. The effect of OG on Mag release and ex-vivo permeation studies were evaluated and compared to free Mag in OG. The biological anti-tumor activity of the OG formulae was assessed using a skin cancer model in mice. All OG formulations exhibited uniform drug distribution with drug content ranging from 92.22 ± 0.91 to 100.45 ± 0.77 %. Rheological studies confirmed the OG shear-thinning flow behavior. Ex-vivo permeation studies demonstrated that the permeation of Mag from all OG formulations surpassed that obtained with free Mag in the OG. The anti-tumor activity studies revealed the superior efficacy of 10-hydroxy-decanoic acid (HDA)-based vesicles incorporated in OG formulations in mitigating 7,12- dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer, thereby offering a promising platform for the local delivery of Mag.

10-Hydroxy Decanoic Acid-Based Vesicles as a Novel Topical Delivery System: Would It Be a Better Platform Than Conventional Oleic Acid Ufasomes for Skin Cancer Treatment?

10-hydroxy decanoic acid (HDA), a naturally derived fatty acid, was used for the preparation of novel fatty acid vesicles for comparison with oleic acid (OA) ufasomes. The vesicles were loaded with magnolol (Mag), a potential natural drug for skin cancer. Different formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration method and were statistically evaluated according to a Box-Behnken design in terms of particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and entrapment efficiency (EE). The ex vivo skin permeation and deposition were assessed for Mag skin delivery. In vivo, an assessment of the optimized formulae using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer in mice was also conducted. The PS and ZP of the optimized OA vesicles were 358.9 ± 3.2 nm and -82.50 ± 7.13 mV compared to 191.9 ± 6.28 nm and -59.60 ± 3.07 mV for HDA vesicles, respectively. The EE was high (>78%) for both types of vesicles. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed enhanced Mag permeation from all optimized formulations compared to a drug suspension. Skin deposition demonstrated that HDA-based vesicles provided the highest drug retention. In vivo, studies confirmed the superiority of HDA-based formulations in attenuating DMBA-induced skin cancer during treatment and prophylactic studies.