Characterization and transdermal delivery of ethosomes loaded with Eucommia ulmoides extract

Abstract

In this study, ethosomes loaded with Eucommia ulmoides extracts that have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activities on the skin were prepared as cosmetic materials. The particle size, physical property, and entrapment efficiency of ethosomes to identify their stabilities during 4 weeks were measured. Ethosomes containing 0.01~0.05% E. ulmoides extracts did not show either precipitation or separation. The mean particle size of these ethosomes was 136.4 nm, and monodisperse. The particle size of ethosome containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts was 151.15 nm and the entrapment efficiency was 81.79%. Therefore, in vitro skin permeation experiment was performed with ethosome containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts that showed the high loading efficiency and stability during 4 weeks. The order of skin permeation of E. ulmoides extracts was ethosome (77.16%) > liposome (62.80%) > ethanolic solutoin (41.59%). These results suggest that ethosomes containing 0.05% E. ulmoides extracts are effective for the skin permeation and may be used as a cosmetic formulation containing plant extracts.