The Effect of Alkyl Chain Number in Sucrose Surfactant on the Physical Properties of Quercetin-Loaded Deformable Nanoliposome and Its Effect on In Vitro Human Skin Penetration

Non-invasive skin penetration of a drug is increased by an edge activator, which enhances the nanoliposome deformability. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the alkyl chain number of sucrose surfactants as an edge activator in elastic nanoliposomes. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the elastic nanoliposomes were characterized and an in vitro human skin permeation study was performed. Elastic nanoliposomes that were composed of sucrose monostearate (MELQ), sucrose distearate (DELQ), and sucrose tristearte (TELQ) were prepared using a thin-film hydration method. Particle size and entrapment efficiency of elastic nanoliposomes increased proportionally with an increase in the amounts and the numbers of the stearate in sucrose surfactant. Deformability of elastic nanoliposomes was indicated as DELQ > MELQ > TELQ and the same pattern was revealed through the in vitro human skin permeability tests. These results suggest that the number of alkyl chains of sucrose surfactant as edge activator affects the physicochemical property, stability, and skin permeability in elastic nanoliposome. Our findings give a valuable platform for the development of elastic nanoliposomes as skin drug delivery systems.