Lecithin organogel: A unique micellar system for the delivery of bioactive agents in the treatment of skin aging

Abstract

Skin aging is an unavoidable aspect of human life. Premature skin aging can result from poor care, environmental pollutants, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Wrinkles, lines, spots, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation are often indicators of skin aging. One cannot avoid aging but cosmetics and pharmaceutical approaches can minimize and delay the damage. Topical applications of biocompatible and biodegradable vehicles have been explored for delivering anti-aging compounds. Lecithin organogel (LO) is an effective vehicle for topical delivery of many bioactive agents used in aging treatment. Lecithin is cell component isolated from soya beans or eggs and purified to show excellent gelation in non-polar solvents when combined with water. LO can form a heat-stable, resistant to microbial growth, visco-elastic, optically transparent, and non-birefringent micellar system. It serves as an organic medium to enhance dermal permeation of poorly permeable drugs by effectively partitioning into the skin. Its ability to dissolve in hydrophilic as well as in lipophilic drugs makes it a dynamic vehicle, which can be explored as a carrier for anti-aging agents.