PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BENZOPHENONE-3 LOADED POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES OF LACTIDE-CO- Ɛ - CAPROLACTONE AS DRUG CARRIERS

Abstract

Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have been developed as carriers for
sunscreens being widely used for protecting the skin from adverse effects of UV
radiations. The aim of this study is to formulate PNPs using Lactide Co-Æ-
Caprolactone (PLCL) polymer containing Benzophenone-3 (Bp-3) as chemical
sunscreening agent aiming to decrease the possibility of transdermal
permeation, and adverse systemic side effects, as well as protecting it against
photodegradation to prevent toxic and allergic degradation products. In this
study, the effects of stabilizer type Tween 80 (T80) & poloxamer 188 (P188),
stabilizer concentration (1% and 5% w/v) in the external aqueous phase and
drug to polymer ratio (D/P) (1:1 and 2:1 w/w) were studied on entrapment
efficiency percent (EE%), and particle size. Incorporation of the prepared Bp-3
PNPs into emulgels (EGs) as vehicles with highly favorable cosmetic properties
were further evaluated regarding rheological properties, spreadability test, in
vitro SPF, and EUVA-PF, further evaluation involving in vitro release and in vitro
permeation tests were also carried out. Finally, an in vitro microbiological assay
was adopted to compare the survival percent of E.coli against UV exposure for
200 minutes which is the decimal reduction time (DRT) before and after
application of the selected formula. Results show that F6T80 has the highest
EE% of 98.80%±0.04. F6T80EG showing convenient spreadability with
pseudoplastic thixotropic flow, higher SPF and EUVA-PF values, with lower
amount of Bp-3 permeated through the skin. In addition the survival percent of
E.coli against UV exposure reached 31% ± 2.92 after the application of the
selected formula F6T80. This study illustrated the potential use of PNPs to
improve the UV blocking activity and SPF of Bp3 compared to traditional EGs
containing free unencapsulated drug.