Transdermal diffusion of resveratrol by multilamellar liposomes: Effect of encapsulation on its stability

Trans-Resveratrol (RV) was encapsulated in multi-lamellar liposomes (MLLs) composed of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine (P100), Tween 80 (T80) and water. The P100-to-T80 ratio as well as their water content were chosen based on a previous study to promote transdermal transport of RV. The effect of RV on the size, elasticity, and charge of MLLs was evaluated as well as the effect of encapsulation on the apparent solubility of RV. The diffusion of RV and MLLs in artificial skin, namely Strat-M (TM), was monitored by confocal Raman imaging, and compared with that of a RV solution and empty MLLs, while the transdermal passage rate was measured by UV-vis spectrophotometry on both artificial and excised human skin. RV was found to remain localized in the outer layer of the skin with less than 3% passing through it over a 24-h period in both skin types. Encapsulation in MLLs drastically increased its transdermal passage: 73 +/- 10% after 3 h of incubation on excised human skin, and 10% on Strat-M (TM) after 9 h. Whereas RV in its free form underwent cis isomerization, MLLs protected it up to 9h before undergoing chemical degradation after 24h.

Automated summary

This study encapsulated trans-resveratrol (RV) in multi-lamellar liposomes (MLLs) to enhance its transdermal delivery. The encapsulation significantly increased the transdermal passage of RV and protected it from chemical degradation. This finding is important for the development of transdermal delivery systems for RV.