Development and Evaluation of Sunscreen Cream Containing Benzophenone-3 Microspheres for Enhancing Sunscreen Activity

Abstract

In present work, sunscreen cream containing Benzophenone – 3 microspheres were prepared and an attempt were made to deliver sunscreening agent in sustained release manner from microspheres containing cream. Microspheres are prepared by emulsion cum thermal gelation technique and the o/w emulsion was selected as cream. Optimized batch of microspheres were taken and mixed with cream. This cream was subjected to determination of various parameters like color, pH, rancidity, viscosity, spreadability and extrudability. In vitro drug release study and SPF were determined. Cream has also been evaluated for in vivo ocular toxicity testing, skin irritancy testing, testing for sensitizing potential, and photosensitivity test. Results revealed that no ocular irritation and skin irritation occurs. Physical stability and chemical stability were tested. Sunscreen cream is homogeneous, smooth on application, having good spreadability and extrudability and milky white in color. The pH was found to be 7.1. Cream shows viscosity 32840 cps, no rancidity and no phase separation on centrifugation were observed. In vitro drug release study revealed that both 1% and 2% microspheres containing cream follow zero order release kinetics which means release rate was found constant. In vitro SPF was evaluated mean SPF of 1% cream was 13.74 and mean SPF of 2% cream was 31.47. Physical stability testing revealed that cream was not greatly affected by various stress conditions like freeze-thaw (-5 to +5°C), shaking (100-500 rpm) and centrifugation (1000-5000 rpm) except 5000 rpm. Results of chemical stability revealed that the formulations exhibited good stability at elevated temperature between 25-45°C and slight changes may occur which are reversible in nature. In present work attempt were made to develop microspheres containing sunscreen cream and it was characterized for various parameters. Sunscreen cream was safe and effective and also showed sustain drug release.