Development of a nanostructured lipid carrier formulation for increasing photo-stability and water solubility of Phenylethyl Resorcinol

The Phenylethyl Resorcinol loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (PR-NLC) was developed by hot high-pressure homogenization method. The freshly prepared PR-NLC showed a spherical morphology under transmission electron microscope, and the particle size was 218.3 ± 9.2 nm. The value of the zeta potential of PR-NLC decreased from −30.2 ± 1.9 mV to −64.9 ± 1.3 mV when the dilution times reach 10. The loading amount of PR encapsulated in NLC was 2.94 ± 0.03%, and the average entrapment efficiencies of PR-NLC determinated by size exclusion chromatography and ultrafiltration were 90.2 ± 0.6% and 98.3 ± 0.3%. Lyophilization was proved feasible for the storage of NLC dispersion. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) was exploited to investigate the possible drug–lipid complex formation. Advancements in water solubility of PR were demonstrated by NLC using a contact angle measurement. The hemolysis percentage of the NLC was less than 1.3% in a certain range of concentration. In 90 days’ storage, 88.6 ± 2.8% of PR remained unchanged in PR-NLC under natural daylight. In vitro release studies revealed a sustained drug release, and in vitro penetration studies showed an increase of retention amount of PR in the skin, when applying PR-NLC. Therefore, the NLC might be a potential delivery vehicle in cosmetic dermal products.