Carbopol 934-based transethosomal gel of Glycyrrhizic acid for the management of skin cancer

Abstract

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) exhibited potential anti-cancer efficacy and was used for the treatment of skin cancer. Transethosomes were developed to improve the solubility, bioavailability, and permeability of GA since it shows high solubility in ethanol. The topical route offers the benefits of higher patient compliance, easy administration, and withdrawal in case of any side effects. The GA loaded transethosome (GA-TE) was optimized by using the Box-Behnken design. The optimized GA-TE formulation was characterized for vesicle size, and zeta potential, which were 127.6 ± 0.8 nm and −24.41 ± 0.7 mV respectively. The % entrapment efficiency and % drug loading of the optimized GA-TE formulation were found to be 85.22 ± 0.94 % and 6.22 ± 0.43 % respectively. The prepared GA-TE formulation was converted to topical gel by incorporating 1 % Carbopol 934 as a gelling agent. The texture analysis of GA-TE gel showed that the values of cohesiveness, work of cohesion, consistency, and firmness were suitable for the topical delivery system for skin cancer as compared to the conventional gel. The results of ex-vivo and in-vitro permeation of GA-TE gel showed better and enhanced permeation than conventional gel. The confocal laser scanning microscopy results showed better permeation, retention, deposition, and distribution of rhodamine B-loaded GA-TE gel formulation into the skin as compared to conventional gel. The produced GA-TE formulation was proven to be beneficial in treating skin cancer based on the in-vivo results.