Possibility for the development of cosmetics with PLGA nanospheres

Abstract

The optimized preparation of Poly-(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanospheres containing ubiquinone (UQ) for cosmetic products was pursued. By investigating various conditions for the preparation of UQ/PLGA nanospheres such as the molecular weight of PLGA, PLGA concentration, and UQ concentration, UQ/PLGA nanospheres with increased stability and slower drug release at a higher drug loading efficiency were prepared. Permeation tests on the prepared nanospheres using iontophoresis via electric dermal administration on membrane filters (200 nm pore size) and hairless mouse skin samples were also carried out. After iontophoresis, the nanospheres choked the membrane filter and remained on the horny layer of the hairless mouse skin, even after washing. Therefore, the prepared UQ/PLGA nanospheres and the established iontophoresis technique with the PLGA nanospheres in the present study can be applied to the future development of cosmetics.