Tretinoin loaded NLCs-based sunscreen cream; preparation and characterization | [Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Rabbia Saleem: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University,Islamabad,Pakistan

2. Mubashar Rehman: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University,Islamabad,Pakistan;School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University,Guangzhou,China

3. Tanveer Ahmed Khan: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University,Islamabad,Pakistan

4. Qandeel Khalid: School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University,Guangzhou,China

5. Aousaf Ahmad: Quaid-e-Azam College of Pharmacy,Sahiwal,Pakistan

6. Muhammad Awais: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University,Islamabad,Pakistan

7. Ayesha Ahmad: Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University,Islamabad,Pakistan

8. Shakeel Ijaz: Quaid-e-Azam College of Pharmacy,Sahiwal,Pakistan

Abstract:

FDA has recognized tretinoin as the gold standard for skin anti-aging products but it has the disadvantage of being a strong irritant and unstable in light. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are advanced, second-generation solid lipid nanoparticles with the intriguing feature of acquiring the properties of physical sunscreens in terms of UV ray scattering. Thus, this study was designed to formulate a tretinoin-loaded NLCs-based sunscreen cream to potentiate the photo-stability of tretinoin. Tretinoin-loaded NLCs were prepared using micro-emulsion method and the Box-Benkhen design was utilized to optimize the formulations. The optimized tretinoin-loaded formulations were characterized based on particle size, PDI, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. Moreover, the physicochemical parameters of optimized tretinoin-loaded NLCs, including morphology, FTIR studies, DSC analysis and stability studies and release profile were also examined. The results revealed that tretinoin-loaded NLCs-based sunscreen formulation was stable in all aspects and showed better photo-stability and sun protection with prolonged release profile. In conclusion, the present study affirms the NLCs formulation as a viable carrier for topically administering tretinoin, reducing its photosensitivity and suggesting that incorporated sunscreens may provide prolonged protective effects against harmful UV radiations.

Page(s): 315-323

DOI: 10.36721/PJPS.2025.38.1.REG.315-323.1

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume: 38, Issue: 1, Year: 2025

Keywords:

tretinoin , sunscreen , UV radiations , NLCs , photoprotection

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