Abstract

Curcuminoids obtained from Curcuma longa have properties like photoprotection, antiaging, anti- wrinkle, moisturizing, antioxidant, astringent, anti-irritant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Our aim was to develop a stable nano-transfersomes loaded cream which could correct the morphological defects and penetrate deeper to the cellular level of dermis to produce anti-wrinkle effect. Soxhlet extraction of C. longawas carried out with two solvents viz. absolute ethanol and 85% ethanol. The transfersomes were prepared by conventional rotary evaporation technique. Various process variables were studied to optimize the formulation including lecithin: surfactant ratio, surfactants (Tween 20, Tween 80) and different solvent extract (95% ethanol and 85% ethanol). 85% ethanolic extract loaded transfersomes (F4) prepared with 4:1 lecithin: surfactant ratio and Tween 20 as the edge activator was found to have maximum entrapment efficiency of 41±1%. Vesicle size obtained was between 200±2 nm range, zeta potential -30±5 mV and polydispersity index between 0.2 to 0.3. After 12 h study curcumin deposition was found to be 45.9%. Transmission electron microscopy of novel cream revealed the presence of spherical double layered transfersome in intact state thus proving the stability of transfersome in cream. Cutometer studies, showed 30 to 50% improvement in relative and absolute skin parameters. The improvements in overall elasticity, biological elasticity, recovery of deformed skin, firmness and reduction in fatigueless can be correlated with anti-wrinkle properties of cream.

Key words: Curcuminoids, cutometer, novel creams, anti wrinkle, transfersomes.