Investigating the potential of Quercetin enthused nano lipoidal system for the management of dermatitis

Abstract

Objective: The present research work was undertaken to develop quercetin enthused nanolipoidal systems and its characterization. The objective was to investigate potential of prepared system in the management of DNCB induced dermatitis. Method: Nanolipoidal system was prepared in different combinations with quercetin, L-α phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and ethanol and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, percentage drug release, skin retention and skin permeation. Selected batches were further incorporated into Carbopol 934 base gel. The vesicles were in size range 324.19-359 nm while polydispersity index (PDI) ranges from 0.241-0.554 and for zeta potential, it was from -26.33 to -39.3 nm. Entrapment efficiency was from 23.77-94.68 %. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed penetration depth of rhodamine enthused ethosome across rat skin up to 45.23 µm which was significantly higher than the rhodamine solution (10 µm). In dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) induced mice dermatitis model histopathology study showed a marked decrease in amount of inflammatory cell nucleus in mice treated with quercetin loaded ethosomal gel followed by 76.13% decrease in-ear swelling and ear mass respectively in morphology study. The conventional marketed formulation showed a nominal decrease in epidermal thickness. Further Primary irritation index was less than 0.4 indicating negligible irritation in all the groups. Results: The optimized formulation F6 with SPC and ethanol in the ratio of 20:80 displayed the highest drug content and entrapment efficiency of 94.68±1.14%. PDI was 0.241±0.11 and skin retention 7.7%. Batch F6 with vesicle size and zeta potential of 324.9±19 nm and -26.33 mV, respectively, was incorporated in Carbopol 934 base gel and the prepared gel was evaluated for morphology, spreadability, in vitro, ex vivo release study, and kinetics study and in vivo studies. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the developed ethosomal gel can be used for enhanced delivery of Quercetin via skin. The in vitro studies indicated that the gel serves as an efficient carrier for Quercetin. It showed its effectiveness in the management of dermatitis. Further, Quercetin loaded nanoethosomal gel formulation can be viewed as a promising drug delivery system for the management of dermatitis.