Abstract
Objective: This research aims to develop a quercetin microemulsion system to improve the solubility of quercetin and to study the stability of the microemulsions.
 Methods: The microemulsion is prepared by water titration method using isopropyl myristate (oil), Tween 60®/Span 80® (3:2) (surfactant) and ethanol (co-surfactant). Two different aqueous phases, water or NaCl solution, were used to prepare microemulsions and the influence of each parameter was described. DPPH scavenging and anti-tyrosinase activity were performed along with chemical stability to evaluate the functional stability of microemulsions.
 Results: The influence of percentage of oil phase (variable A) on the solubility of quercetin was less significant than that of percentage of surfactant/co-surfactant (variable B). Compared to those prepared with water (variable C), the solubility of quercetin in microemulsions prepared with NaCl solution significantly increased. The ratio of the high level to low level for solubility of three variables was 1.135, 1.315 and 1.591 respectively. Increasing variable A and B led to an increase in the particle size of microemulsions from 120.08 nm to 188.38 nm and 48.18 nm to 260.28 nm, respectively. The influence of variable B was quite significant, while variable C has no significant effect on particle size. Quercetin microemulsions showed good chemical and functional stability when stored at 4 °C. Under other conditions, especially at 40 °C, the activity of the microemulsion is considerably reduced.
 Conclusion: The influence of different variables on the characteristics of microemulsions was complicated. Care must be taken in the composition and storage conditions of these formulations.
Highlights
With the development of the aging society, the anti-aging of the skin has always been a topic that has attracted attention
The factorial design experiments were performed in random order, and the responses were measured as the solubility of quercetin and particle size
As for variable C, compared to those prepared with water, the solubility of quercetin in microemulsions prepared with NaCl solution significantly increased
Summary
With the development of the aging society, the anti-aging of the skin has always been a topic that has attracted attention. Chronic UV radiation exposure from the sun has been shown to cause premature skin aging (photoaging) and skin cancer; while acute exposure may cause sunburn, immune suppression, and connective tissue degradation [1, 2] These skin damages due to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the result of the generation of free radicals and skin inflammation [3]. Quercetin has a sun protection effect by absorbing ultraviolet radiation [8], and has a whitening effect on the skin by inhibiting tyrosinase [9] It is a good antioxidant and has rejuvenated activity on terminally senescent cells [10]. The topical preparation of quercetin has quite excellent development potential
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