Microspheres Based on Blends of Chitosan Derivatives with Carrageenan as Vitamin Carriers in Cosmeceuticals

Abstract

Chitosan (CS) has a natural origin and is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with many skin-beneficial properties successfully used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. CS derivatives, especially those synthesized via a Schiff base reaction, are very important due to their unique antimicrobial activity. This study demonstrates research results on the use of hydrogel microspheres made of [chitosan-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan)], [chitosan-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan), and chitosan-sodium-4-formylbenzene-1,3-disulfonate-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan) as innovative vitamin carriers for cosmetic formulation. A permeation study of retinol (vitamin A), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) from the cream through a human skin model by the Franz Cell measurement system was presented. The quantitative analysis of the release of the vitamins added to the cream base, through the membrane, imitating human skin, showed a promising profile of its release/penetration, which is promising for the development of a cream with anti-aging properties. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the polymers from which the microspheres are made allows for the elimination of preservatives and parabens as cosmetic formulation ingredients.

Keywords: chitosan Schiff base; controlled release; cosmetic formulations; microspheres; trans-epidermal absorption; vitamin; κ-carrageenan.

Figure 1

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of microspheres CS-g-PCL(MSA):CG 50:50 loaded with VA vitamins (a) after receiving and (b) swelling microspheres after 12 h of incubation in apH 5.0 buffer.

Figure 2

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of microspheres CS-SB-PCA-g-PCL:CG 50:50 loaded with VA vitamins (a) after receiving and (b) swelling microspheres after 12 h of incubation in apH 5.0 buffer.

Figure 3

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of microspheres CS-SB-SFD-g-PCL:CG 50:50 loaded with VA vitamins (a) after receiving and (b) swelling microspheres after 12 h of incubation in a pH 5.0 buffer.

Figure 4

The diameter distribution of the microspheres loaded with vitamins after receiving (before swelling) and after 12 h of incubation in a pH 5.0 buffer.

Figure 5

Swelling ratio (SR) of microspheres at different soaking times in a pH 5.0 buffer at 34 °C. Error bars represent the standard deviation of three replicates.

Figure 6

The relative mass loss (M_s%) of microspheres after the incubation process in a pH 5.0 buffer at 34 °C. Error bars represent the standard deviation of three replicates.

Figure 7

VA permeated through the Strat-MTM membrane: (a) 1 h doses and (b) cumulative release. Error bars represent the standard deviation of three replicates.

Figure 8

VC permeated through the Strat-MTM membrane: (a) 1 h doses and (b) cumulative release. Error bars represent the the standard deviation of three replicates.

Figure 9

VE permeated through the Strat-MTM membrane: (a) 1 h doses and (b) cumulative release. Error bars represent the standard deviation of three replicates.

Figure 10

Relative vitamin content in the cream, membrane, and permeate after 6 h of the release process of VA (a), VC (b) and VE (c).

Figure 11

The effect of the developed blends on the viability of human fibroblasts (the results are shown as the mean ± SD; * p < 0.05 compared with the control).

Figure 12

The effect of the developed blends on the viability of human keratinocytes (the results are shown as the mean ± SD; * p < 0.05 compared with the control).