Search Results (112)

Multifunctional dressings capable of maintaining a moist environment, supporting tissue regeneration, and delivering bioactive compounds are increasingly being explored as promising strategies for burn wound management. In this study, alginate-based emulgel patches incorporating hydrophilic and lipophilic plant extracts were developed by extrusion-based 3D printing as potential topical systems for burn wound applications. The formulation included sodium alginate, hyaluronic acid, and hydroglyceric extracts of Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, and Plantago major, as well as oily extracts of Hippophae rhamnoides and Hypericum perforatum. The emulgel was evaluated for pH, rheological behaviour, spreadability, physical stability, apparent hydrodynamic size distribution, zeta potential, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity. Following Ca²⁺-induced crosslinking, uniform and flexible 3D-printed patches were obtained and further characterised for pharmacotechnical, physicochemical, structural, functional, and biological properties. The emulgel exhibited suitable characteristics for extrusion-based printing, while the resulting patches showed good dimensional uniformity, flexibility, swelling capacity, water vapour transmission, and surface pH compatible with topical application. FTIR, DLS, SEM, and SEM–EDX analyses supported the formation of a Ca²⁺-crosslinked alginate network and confirmed the presence of structurally heterogeneous domains with homogeneous calcium distribution. The patches retained plant-derived bioactive compounds, with a total polyphenol content of 0.2878 ± 0.016 mg GAE/g hydrated patch, and showed improved antioxidant activity compared with the corresponding emulgel. In vitro release studies indicated the time-dependent diffusion of polyphenols over 24 h, with cumulative release reaching 64.42%. The patches also exhibited a water vapour transmission rate of 1270 ± 93 g/m²/24 h, indicating adequate moisture regulation. HaCaT cell viability remained above 90% at lower tested concentrations, demonstrating a favourable biocompatibility profile. Overall, the developed 3D-printed alginate emulgel patches represent promising multifunctional systems for potential burn wound management and warrant further preclinical investigation. Full article

Biphasic systems able to effectively release bioactive molecules along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are receiving growing interest. In this work, emulgels structured with citrus fiber, a digestion-resistant structuring agent, were produced using two types of edible oils (Miglyol^® 812 N and rice oil). Samples with 3% w/w of fiber were loaded with curcumin. The rheology of emulgels, reference hydrogels, and oil phases was studied. Complex modulus ($G^{*}$) and viscosity ($\eta$) increased with increasing fiber fraction, whereas the phase angle ($\delta$) was fiber fraction-independent (p < 0.05). Dynamic and flow behaviors were modeled using weak gel model and modified Cross model, respectively. Samples with rice oil were more consistent and viscous than samples with Miglyol^® 812 N because of the higher $G^{*}$ and $\eta$ of rice oil. Curcumin does not affect the rheology of oils, whereas it modifies the emulgel behavior. In emulgels, curcumin does not change (p < 0.005) both weak gel parameters. Gel strength ($A$) was 750 ± 40 Pa s^z again 760 ± 40 Pa s^z and 597 ± 2 Pa s^z again 604 ± 4 Pa s^z for the system with rice oil and Miglyol^® 812 N, respectively, and network extension ($n$) resulted to be 14.13 ± 0.03 for all samples. Curcumin slightly increases the phase angle $\delta$, 5.83 ± 0.09° again 7.0 ± 0.2° and 5.5 ± 0.1° again 7.10 ± 0.08° for the system with rice oil and Miglyol^® 812 N, respectively. This suggests a reduction in the structure of the fiber network. Curcumin has an oil-dependent influence on the zero-shear-rate viscosity (${\mu }_0$) and on the time constant ($m$), while it does not affect the shear-thinning index ($n$), which resulted to be statistically independent of all systems (p < 0.05) yielding an average value of 1.616 ± 0.007. According to in vitro release studies, the percentage of cumulative released curcumin at 24 h was 15 ± 1% for emulgel with Miglyol^® 812 N, whereas for the sample with rice oil, it was 18 ± 1%. Overall, results suggest the attractiveness of these systems for potential applications in the sustained oral release of curcumin. Full article

Nutritionally crucial unsaturated fatty acids, especially rich in high omega-3 bonds, are very prone to oxidation. This phenomenon makes oxidation stability a substantial challenge in every formulation, especially those which contain or at some stage of preparation contain water. Bigels and emulgels, which represent promising structured lipid systems for replacing saturated and trans fats in food formulations, pose significant oxidative stability challenges. This review examines oxidation mechanisms in such biphasic systems. Oxidation in bigels and emulgels proceeds through both free-radical-mediated autoxidation and metal-ion-catalysed pathways, with the oil–water interface serving as the primary reaction zone where pro-oxidants concentrate, and lipid substrates become accessible. Structural configuration critically determines oxidative stability, following the sequence W/O bigel > bicontinuous bigel > O/W bigel. The high viscosity of gel matrices provides substantial protection by restricting radical mobility and oxygen diffusion. Mass transfer occurs via diffusion, collision–exchange–separation, and micelle-assisted mechanisms, with association colloids forming localized interfaces that accelerate oxidation. Thermal processing presents particular challenges, as temperatures above 50 °C disrupt most gel structures and accelerate oxidative degradation. Effective protective strategies include interfacial engineering with emulsifiers to reduce oil–water interfacial tension, incorporation of natural antioxidants (e.g., phenolic compounds and tocopherols), and synergistic antioxidant combinations. This review provides a mechanistic framework for formulating oxidatively stable bigels and emulgels suitable for food applications. Full article

Phlomis L., with more than 100 species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is a genus encompassing a diverse group of plants known for their rich phytochemical profiles and important medicinal properties. Phlomis kurdica Rech. fil. is a member of this genus widely distributed in the Middle East, especially in Iran, Iraq and Türkiye. In traditional medicine, Phlomis species have been employed in the treatment of various disorders, particularly skin conditions such as wound healing, as well as diabetes, hemorrhoids, inflammation, and gastric ulcers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological activities of Phlomis kurdica on skin-related enzymes and to evaluate its phytochemical properties using HPTLC, LC-MS/MS. Additionally, an emulgel formulation was developed with methanolic extract of the plant and characterized in terms of spreadability, textural profile analysis, pH, viscosity, and content quantification determination. In vitro release and rheology studies were carried out following the characterization investigations. According to our investigations, P. kurdica may be a useful component of wrinkle prevention and skin-regenerating products. Full article

This work investigated the impact of energy-efficient and water-saving manufacturing procedures—specifically one-pot and hot-cold processes—on the rheological and microstructural stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions (emulgels) stabilized by four distinct biopolymers and benchmarked against a synthetic polymer. Emulgels produced using these sustainable methods were directly compared against a traditional hot process. Results demonstrated that for most biopolymers, including tara gum, glucomannan, and cross-linked xanthan gum, the sustainable manufacturing procedures did not compromise overall stability and often provided beneficial polymer-specific flow profiles, such as reduced thixotropy or enhanced shear-thinning. A notable exception was the co-processed acacia/xanthan gum, where rheological data indicated that the one-pot process should be avoided due to structural degradation. Collectively, these findings broaden the applicability of sustainable manufacturing methods beyond traditional stabilizers like xanthan gum and provide additional data for process optimization, with tentative suggestions for transferability to food emulgel production. Full article

Background: Human cutaneous reactivity exhibits marked inter-individual variability, yet the contribution of constitutional pigmentation traits to short-term skin responses remains incompletely characterized. Fitzpatrick skin phototype reflects stable differences in pigmentation-related traits and may therefore act as a phenotypic modifier of early cutaneous reactivity following topical exposure. Methods: In this controlled human study, 239 healthy volunteers were stratified by Fitzpatrick skin phototype into three groups: I–II (n = 138), III (n = 72), and IV–V (n = 29). A standardized emulgel-based topical provocation model was applied under occlusion to the volar forearm, and cutaneous responses were assessed at 20 min (Test A), 24 h (Test B), and 96 h (Test C) using standardized visual scoring. Group comparisons, multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, country of origin, and experimental lot, and stratified analyses by country of origin, were performed. Results: Early and short-term cutaneous responses differed significantly across phototype groups. Participants with phototypes I–II exhibited higher response scores at both 20 min and 24 h compared with phototype III (p < 0.001). In adjusted models, phototype III remained independently associated with significantly lower reactivity relative to phototypes I–II at 20 min (β = −1.61, p < 0.001) and 24 h (β = −0.98, p < 0.001). Responses among phototypes IV–V were minimal to absent; however, this subgroup was underrepresented, and findings for IV–V are descriptive. Age was a significant positive predictor of response intensity, whereas sex showed no independent association. No persistent reactions were observed at 96 h in any phototype group. Stratified analyses confirmed that the reduced reactivity associated with phototype III was independent of country of origin. Conclusions: Fitzpatrick skin phototype is independently associated with early and short-term cutaneous reactivity following standardized topical provocation in humans. Lighter phototypes (I–II) demonstrate increased susceptibility to transient inflammatory responses, whereas phototype III shows markedly reduced reactivity. These findings support the role of skin phototype as a constitutional modifier of short-term cutaneous responses and highlight the importance of considering pigmentation-related phenotypes in the design and interpretation of dermatological testing, cosmetic tolerability studies, and safety assessments of topical formulations. Full article

Gel biocomposites, with their wide range of properties, are increasingly popular in many industries, while hyaluronic acid (HA), due to its unique water-binding mechanisms, has a high application potential in these types of materials. Furcellaran-based composite hydrogels and emulsion gels with different HA additions were produced and the effect of HA concentration on physical, color, textural, mechanical, rheological, and antioxidant properties was evaluated. A polysaccharide network was observed, which—according to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data—is stabilized by hydrogen bonding. Emulsion gels revealed denser structures. Small deformation tests confirmed elastic–solid type of all investigated gels. The opposite effect of HA on the swelling behavior of hydro- and emulgels was observed. Increasing hyaluronic acid content resulted in elasticity enhancement and hardness reduction. Antioxidant potential of composites significantly increased with HA concentration. The obtained materials have potential applications as plat-based delivery systems for hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive components. Full article

Ophthalmic drug delivery encounters unique challenges due to the anatomical and physiological ocular barriers, necessitating the development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDSs). This review focuses on emerging therapeutic platforms, including nanoemulsions (NEs), microemulsions (MEs), self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) such as self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDSs) and self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDSs), emulgels, and in situ-forming emulgels, as novel strategies for enhancing ocular drug delivery. NEs and MEs, due to their small globule size, excellent drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability, offer promising solutions for effective ocular therapy. SEDDSs further enhance the stability and bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs through self-emulsification in aqueous environments. Emulgels, combining the benefits of emulsions and gels, provide sustained and controlled release of therapeutic agents, improving the ocular retention time and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, in situ-forming emulgels offer the advantage of liquid-to-gel transition upon contact with ocular surfaces, optimizing drug delivery. The review discusses various ocular diseases, challenges for ocular delivery of conventional formulations, updates on emulsion-based novel drug delivery systems for ophthalmic drug delivery, mechanisms of enhanced ocular permeation, formulation strategies, advantages, and challenges, design-of-experiment considerations for optimization, characterizations, and recent advancements in these systems including patents and clinical trials, highlighting their potential for improving the treatment of various ocular diseases. Furthermore, this review explores marketed ophthalmic emulsions and future prospects for integrating these NDDSs into clinical ophthalmology, emphasizing their ability to overcome ocular barriers and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Background: Natural alternatives are becoming more popular as a result of health risks associated with synthetic preservatives in pharmaceuticals. Because of its antibacterial properties, Psidium guajava (L.) leaf extract is a practical choice for sustainable preservation. Objectives: The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of Psidium guajava (L.) leaf extract as a 10% (w/w) natural preservative in five different base formulations: creams (clotrimazole cream, permethrin cream, and gentamicin cream) and gels (indomethacin emulgel and ibuprofen gel). Methods: Over the course of 28 days, antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Candida albicans was evaluated. In accordance with USP/BP guidelines, three months of accelerated conditions (40 ± 2 °C/75% ± 5% RH) were used to assess chemical, physical, and microbiological stability. The stability of the active component was examined using HPLC. Results: Our findings showed that the extract completely inhibited the growth of tested bacterial species in clotrimazole cream, permethrin cream, gentamicin cream, and indomethacin emulgel, demonstrating significant antibacterial activity across all formulations. However, the antifungal activity was restricted. The preservation effectiveness criterion (bacterial/yeast counts < 10 CFU, mold < 20 CFU) was only fulfilled by ibuprofen gel and clotrimazole cream. Although there were color changes, stability tests verified that the active components such as ibuprofen (reduced from 97.5% to 92%) and clotrimazole (reduced from 99.9% to 95%) decomposed minimally and had acceptable physical characteristics. Particularly against fungus, the extract was surpassed by chemical preservatives (methyl/propyl paraben). Conclusions: Certain semi-solid pharmaceuticals can benefit from the stability and antimicrobial protection provided by guava leaf extract, a natural preservative. The weak antifungal activity of the guava leaf extract emphasizes the necessity for specific improvements in the formulation. Full article

Background: The treatment of bacterial dermatological diseases is currently facing major difficulties, determined by the alarming increase in the resistance of pathogenic bacteria to conventional therapies. In this context, a viable and effective alternative is represented by the use of phytocompounds to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. The essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. stands out for its antibacterial, anti-aging, collagen synthesis stimulating and wound healing properties. However, its use is limited by certain disadvantages, such as poor stability and the risk of skin irritation due to accumulation in the dermis. Method: The process of formulating the emulgel with oregano oil respected the specific technological steps. The resulting emulgel was subjected to a series of tests, including organoleptic, stability and antimicrobial efficacy determinations. In addition, an in vivo study was conducted to confirm the lack of irritation, involving six groups of patients differentiated by age, sex and skin phenotype. Results: The test results revealed that the emulgel formulated with oregano oil is stable, has organoleptic properties and an appropriate pH for topical use. The product demonstrated antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, short-term in vivo tests (20 min—96 h) confirmed the safety and absence of skin irritation, indicating its potential as an effective alternative treatment. Conclusions: In conclusion, the emulgel with origanum oil represents an innovative formulation for topical application. The product is well tolerated by the skin and does not cause irritation, and its antibacterial properties validate it as a promising therapeutic solution. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with letrozole (LZ) serving as a critical aromatase inhibitor for hormone receptor–positive cases. However, long-term oral administration of LZ is often associated with systemic adverse effects and poor patient compliance. To overcome these limitations, new non-aqueous nanoemulgels (NEMGs) were developed for transdermal delivery of LZ. Methods: The NEMGs were formulated using glyceryl monooleate (GMO), Sepineo P600^®, Transcutol, propylene glycol, and penetration enhancers propylene glycol laurate (PGL), propylene glycol monocaprylate (PGMC), and Captex^®. Physicochemical characterization, solubility, stability, and in vitro permeation studies were conducted using Strat-M^® membranes, while in vivo pharmacokinetics were evaluated in rat models. Results: The optimized GMO/PGMC-based NEMG demonstrated significantly enhanced drug flux, higher permeability coefficients, and shorter lag times compared with other NEMGs and suspension emulgels. In vivo, transdermal application of the GMO/PGMC-based NEMG over an area of 2.55 cm² produced dual plasma absorption peaks, with 57% of the LZ dose absorbed relative to oral administration over 12 days. Shelf-life and accelerated stability assessments confirmed excellent physicochemical stability with negligible crystallization. Conclusions: The developed LZ NEMG formulations offer a stable, effective, and patient-friendly transdermal drug delivery platform for breast cancer therapy. This system demonstrates potential to improve patient compliance and reduce systemic toxicity compared to conventional oral administration. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 25% of children and impairs both skin barrier function and quality of life. This study examined the effectiveness of an emulgel containing hyaluronic acid, glycerol, grape seed oil, Calendula officinalis, aloe vera and sh-oligopeptide-1 (a synthetic Epidermal Growth Factor) for treating paediatric AD. In a randomised, self-controlled trial, 57 children (aged 2–14) applied the emulgel twice daily for 10 days to one forearm and left the other forearm as a control. Skin barrier parameters such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), erythema and pH were measured. After applying the emulgel, lesional skin showed reduced erythema (p = 0.007), lower TEWL (p = 0.002) and higher SCH (p < 0.001). Non-lesional skin showed improved SCH (p < 0.001). SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores indicated milder disease post-treatment (mild cases: 64.9% to 80.7% SCORAD; 82.5% to 93.0%EASI). The Dermatology Life Quality Index improved by ~3.5 points, and patients reported high satisfaction with no adverse effects. This emulgel is an effective and well-tolerated adjunctive therapy for paediatric AD, enhancing barrier function and clinical outcomes. Full article

Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated condition of the oral mucosa, commonly associated with pain and burning sensations that impair quality of life. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) and topical glucocorticosteroids (CT) in the treatment of OLP, considering lesion location on keratinized and non-keratinized mucosa. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients with histologically confirmed OLP. Participants were allocated to receive either ALA-PDT in addition to novel oromucosal emulgel containing 5% ALA (five weekly sessions) or clobetasol propionate applied twice daily for two weeks. Lesion area, clinical severity (Reticulation, Erythema, Ulceration—REU index), and subjective symptoms (Visual Analog Scale—VAS) were evaluated before treatment, immediately after, and six months after therapy. Results: ALA-PDT achieved significantly greater and more durable reductions in lesion area, REU scores, and VAS values compared to CT, particularly on non-keratinized mucosa (mean lesion reduction from 2.64 to 0.56 cm² at six months; p < 0.0001). CT therapy showed initial improvement but was followed by relapse at six months. Both treatments were well tolerated, with only mild transient adverse effects reported. Conclusions: ALA-PDT, especially when applied to non-keratinized oral mucosa, provides superior and longer-lasting therapeutic outcomes than topical CT. The application of novel ALA-loaded emulgel enhances treatment efficacy and tolerability, supporting PDT as a promising alternative for OLP management. Full article

Cosmeceutical systems represent next-generation topical platforms designed to deliver bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential directly to the skin. This study evaluated four anti-wrinkle formulations (three creams and one emulgel) in terms of their stability, sensory characteristics, acceptability, and skin tolerance. The products incorporated a unique combination of active ingredients, including N-acetylcysteine, arginine HCl, Blainvillea camellia flower extract, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid. For the cream formulations (EG01–EG03), different emulsifiers were employed, while EG04 was developed as an emulgel. Stability testing revealed that only three out of four formulations remained physically stable, with EG04 showing phase separation. Sensory analysis assessed parameters such as spreading, absorption, shininess, stickiness, greasiness, and smoothness, with results illustrated using a radar plot. EG01 and EG03 displayed similar sensory profiles, differing mainly in shininess and greasiness, while both exhibited high smoothness. In vivo testing was conducted on female human volunteers aged 50–65 years (Fitzpatrick skin types II–IV) to evaluate tolerance and acceptability. Only EG01 and EG03, formulated with methyl glucose sesquistearate and polyglyceryl-3-methylglucose distearate, respectively, demonstrated both superior sensory performance and 100% acceptability and tolerance in clinical assessment. Full article