Influence of β-cyclodextrin concentration on the physicochemical properties and skin permeation behavior of vitamin C-loaded Pickering water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsions

Abstract

This study aimed at the influence of different concentrations of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (or complexes of β-CD and Tween 80) on the physical and chemical properties of vitamin C-loaded Pickering water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) double emulsions. The results showed that the use of higher concentrations of β-CD (or β-CD/Tween 80 complexes) can lead to the formation of emulsions with smaller droplet size, more elastic (gel-like) behavior, higher encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity, better physicochemical stability, and slower rate of drug release. Moreover, higher skin permeation and retention of vitamin C from Pickering W1/O/W2 double emulsions were observed with higher quantities of β-CD (or β-CD/Tween 80 complexes). The overall results revealed that the physicochemical properties of the vitamin C-loaded Pickering W1/O/W2 double emulsions could be effectively improved by the presence of β-CD/Tween 80 complexes, and such emulsion systems could be considered as a promising carrier for topical application of vitamin C.