Skin Permeation of Curcumin Nanocrystals: Effect of Particle Size, Delivery Vehicles, and Permeation Enhancer

February 2023 in “ Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces ”

Hong Xiang, Sai Xu, Wenxin Zhang, Yan Li, Yanxia Zhou, Xuexia Miao

curcumin nanocrystals particle size delivery vehicles permeation enhancer skin permeation hair follicle accumulation propylene glycol xanthan gum thermodynamic activity diffusion coefficient CUR-NCs PG XG

Studysummary In this study using a porcine skin model, the researchers reported that smaller curcumin nanocrystals in xanthan gum gel showed higher passive skin penetration, while larger particles achieved deeper follicular accumulation.

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The study investigated the combined effects of delivery vehicle, penetration enhancer, and particle size on the skin passive permeation and hair follicle accumulation of curcumin nanocrystals (CUR-NCs). Three different particle sizes of CUR-NCs (60, 120, and 480 nm) were added to formulations containing propylene glycol (PG) and/or xanthan gum (XG). The results showed that the effects of the delivery vehicle on drug delivery are complex, as it controls the thermodynamic activity of the drug, which influences the diffusion coefficient of the drug. The study concluded that the size of the nanocrystals, the properties of the delivery vehicles, and the use of penetration enhancers all play a significant role in the effectiveness of dermal drug delivery.

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