Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using niosomes as a delivery vehicle for the dermal administration in vitro of black tea extract (BTE) as a sunscreen.
Methods: Multi-lamellar niosomes were obtained by means of a previously reported method of lipid hydration films. In vitro penetration experiments through nude mouse skin were carried out to evaluate the potential of niosomes as a dermal formulation. The nude mouse skin membrane allowed the effects of penetration with a niosome formulation to be evaluated. Penetration rates of caffeine- and gallic acid-loaded niosomes in a steady state were higher than dispersion in aqueous solutions.
Results: For skin permeation, higher transdermal absorption rates were seen with solutions of caffeine and gallic acid.
Conclusions: In the near future, BTE as a sunscreen agent will be dermally delivered by niosomes.
© 2012 The International Society of Dermatology.