PROPYLENE GLYCOL

This study investigated the development of hypromellose-based film-forming solutions (FFSs) containing ketoprofen, aiming to elucidate how key formulation variables (concentration and type of hypromellose (high-viscosity grades 2910 and 2208), plasticizers (macrogol 400 and propylene glycol) and volatile solvents (water and water/isopropanol mixtures)) influence FFSs performance and film properties. The FFSs were characterized in terms of pH, transparency, and rheological behavior, while the resulting films were evaluated for weight, stickiness, and mechanical properties. All FFSs exhibited pH values ranging from 4.10 to 5.83, high transparency (transmittance >90%), and shear-thinning behavior. The results demonstrated a critical role of polymer and plasticizer selection, with hypromellose 2910 outperforming hypromellose 2208 in both FFS and film properties, and macrogol 400 yielding films with superior mechanical performance compared to propylene glycol. The performance-defining characteristics and further in silico optimization of plasticizer concentration using a second-order polynomial regression model based on tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break, enabled identification of an optimal FFS composition (2% hypromellose 2910, 1.52% macrogol 400, 2.5% ketoprofen, and a 1:1 water/isopropanol mixture up to 100%). The optimized formulation formed a transparent film with favorable mechanical properties, including tensile strength (10.94 ± 2.26 MPa), elongation at break (75.97 ± 6.12%), and Young's modulus (33.79 ± 4.76 MPa). In vitro drug release was significantly enhanced from the optimized FFS compared to commercial gels, reaching 82.66% after 6 h and following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating its potential as a carrier for topical administration of ketoprofen.

Skin wound healing is a complex biological process requiring coordinated cellular responses and extracellular matrix remodeling. Type III collagen (COL3A) plays a critical role in early-stage tissue repair, but its direct application is limited by poor stability and transdermal delivery. In this study, a sterile transdermal peptide-recombinant type III collagen (transdermal peptide-hCOL3A) hydrogel was developed to enhance biological activity and promote wound healing. The hydrogel was formulated using a carbomer matrix combined with trehalose, propylene glycol, triethanolamine, and the transdermal peptide-hCOL3A protein. Protein integrity was confirmed via SDS-PAGE analysis. The resulting hydrogel exhibited uniform structure and favorable physical properties. A full-thickness skin defect model in mice was established to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Compared with the control hydrogel, the transdermal peptide-hCOL3A-loaded hydrogel significantly accelerated wound closure, as evidenced by faster reduction in wound area and improved healing progression over 7-8 days. These results demonstrate that the transdermal peptide-hCOL3A hydrogel effectively enhances wound healing, likely by improving collagen bioavailability and supporting tissue regeneration. This study provides a promising strategy for the development of advanced biomaterials for skin repair. © 2026 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Psoriasis is skin inflammation caused by an immune system dysfunction, involving a complex interaction between immune cells and keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to develop nanoemulsion (NE) based hydrogel containing ferulic acid, a poorly water-soluble compound and evaluate its effect on imiquimod induced psoriasis like skin inflammation. Ferulic acid nanoemulsion (FA-NE) was prepared by ultra-sonication method. Castor oil, Tween-80 and propylene glycol were selected for NE preparation as oil phase surfactant and cosurfactant respectively based on solubility. The NE particle size (29.8 ± 0.49 nm) was within colloidal range, polydispersity index (0.21 ± 0.02) showed homogenous NE, zeta potential (28.5 ± 0.57 mV) indicated stable NE. Entrapment efficiency (96.26 ± 0.33%) and pH (6.8 ± 0.15) was also in suitable range. The rheological study results of FA-NE hydrogel indicated pseudoplastic behavior. The pH and spreadibility were 6.2 ± 0.15 and 8.2 ± 0.89 respectively, suitable for topical application. The optimized FA-NE hydrogel was tested on male Wistar rats (100-150 g) divided into five groups (n = 5). Psoriasis like disease was induced by applying 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream for 7 days on the shaved dorsal skin of four groups (except normal group) and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scoring were calculated. The application of optimized FA-NE hydrogel dramatically reduced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 A, IL-23, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and catalase biomarkers when compared to the disease group. These results were consistent with the in-silico docking studies with highest docking score observed with TNF-α. The treatment group's spleen index reduced significantly. Histopathological findings showed increased capillaries, skin thinning, small dermal projections, and inflammatory cells around blood vessels with 5% IMQ cream application and FA-NE hydrogel greatly reduced these psoriatic changes. Immunohistochemical Ki-67 analysis demonstrated that disease control rats expressed more protein than normal, treatment, and standard animals. The FA-NE hydrogel effectively reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model of psoriasis, suggesting its potential as a topical treatment.

Wound healing remains a major clinical challenge, necessitating advanced topical systems that accelerate repair while minimizing complications. Rutin, a flavonoid with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and angiogenic properties, suffers from poor solubility and instability, limiting therapeutic application. To overcome these drawbacks, a rutin-loaded film-forming spray (FFS) was developed using a Quality by Design (QbD) framework and optimized via a Box-Behnken design. Eudragit ® RLPO and Eudragit ® E100 were employed as film-forming polymers, propylene glycol as a plasticizer, and menthol as a permeation enhancer. The optimized formulation, CO-RUT (F1), exhibited favorable physicochemical characteristics, including rapid drying (56 ± 2 s), suitable viscosity (3.8 ± 0.076 cPs), and uniform drug content (95.3% ± 2%). In vitro release demonstrated sustained delivery over 8 h (86.7% ± 1.6%), following Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics indicative of anomalous diffusion. Ex vivo permeation achieved 97.8% cumulative permeation, attributed to the synergistic effects of menthol and propylene glycol. Most critically, in vivo wound healing studies in rats showed complete wound closure by day 16, significantly outperforming marketed formulations and controls. Histopathological examination confirmed superior epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The CO-RUT (F1) formulation which integrates QbD principles with robust experimental design demonstrates strong translational potential as a novel wound-healing platform and provides a methodological framework for developing next-generation film-forming sprays.

Skin aging involves complex mechanisms such as overactivation of neuromuscular signals and oxidative stress. Herein, we developed a synergistic transdermal delivery system combining self-assembled tripeptide nanoparticles (DAC-SAPs) and a ternary deep eutectic solvent (DES, betaine-glycerol-propylene glycol, BGP) for anti-aging. DAC-SAP integrates dipeptide diaminobutyryl benzamide diacetate (DDB), argireline (ARG), and μ-conotoxin (CTX) into a single nanostructure through hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatically driven molecular self-assembly. This spatial co-localization ensures synchronous delivery and spatiotemporal synergy, effectively inhibiting neuromuscular signaling. BGP DES optimizes polarity regulation, destroys stratum corneum lipids, and significantly promotes transdermal penetration. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal a dual permeation-promoting mechanism, with an appropriate nanostructure size reducing transmembrane resistance, whereas DES promotes lipid mobility and weakens tight junctions in the stratum corneum (SC). In vitro, in vivo, and exploratory clinical assessments demonstrate that DAC-SAP/BGP significantly inhibits sodium and calcium channel activity, reduces acetylcholine (ACh) secretion, and improves skin elasticity and wrinkle parameters. This multicomponent system achieves a synergistic anti-aging effect by blocking and enhancing the transmission of neuromuscular signals, thus providing a new strategy for anti-aging skin care.

Tapinarof cream 1% is a novel, non-steroidal topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor-modulating agent approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). There has only been one report of allergic sensitization to tapinarof cream. This study aimed to determine whether tapinarof cream-induced contact dermatitis represents an allergic or irritant reaction, and to identify the causative allergen in allergic cases. Nine patients (seven with psoriasis and two with AD) who developed contact dermatitis during treatment with tapinarof cream were included. Patch testing was performed with the cream as is; tapinarof at concentrations of 1%, 0.3%, and 0.1% in petrolatum; and two additives (propylene glycol 10% aqueous solution and disodium edetate hydrate 1% in petrolatum). Patch testing with tapinarof cream as is was positive in four patients with psoriasis and both patients with AD. All six patients also showed dose-response relationships with tapinarof, increasing from 0.1% to 1%. The remaining three patients with psoriasis showed negative patch test results to both the cream as is and its individual components. Tapinarof cream-induced contact dermatitis may present as either an allergic or irritant reaction. In all six allergic cases, tapinarof was strongly suggested to be the causative allergen.

Porcine ear skin is widely used as a surrogate for human skin in vitro permeation testing (IVPT) due to its structural and physiological similarities. However, variability in tissue sourcing represents a major but underrecognized source of error, as commercial processing steps such as scalding and dehairing can compromise skin barrier integrity. In this study, we investigated how porcine skin sourcing affects drug permeation using a topical 6% metformin lotion formulated with glycerol or glycerol plus propylene glycol. Permeation was evaluated using Franz diffusion cells over 48 h, and barrier structure was assessed histologically. Although functional barrier integrity testing (e.g., transepidermal water loss or electrical resistance) was not performed, structural assessment via histology provided direct evidence of barrier disruption. Skin obtained from a butcher shop exhibited markedly increased permeation, with 20-60-fold higher flux within 2 h and cumulative permeation reaching ∼80% of the applied dose at 48 h. In contrast, skin procured directly from a slaughterhouse maintained its structural integrity and barrier function, with cumulative permeation remaining below 30%. Histological analysis demonstrated loss of the stratum corneum and viable epidermis in processed skin, whereas these layers remained intact in unprocessed tissue. These findings demonstrate that commercially processed porcine skin can substantially overestimate drug permeation, thereby compromising the reliability and translational relevance of IVPT data. These results underscore the need for routine barrier integrity verification and standardized reporting of skin sourcing and handling conditions in IVPT studies. Standardized tissue sourcing, transparent reporting, and barrier integrity verification are essential to ensure physiologically meaningful evaluation of topical and transdermal drug delivery systems.

Acne vulgaris is a common and complex skin condition characterised by excess oil production, blocked pores, and inflammatory lesions, such as papules and nodules. While hormonal factors and sebum overproduction are key contributors, the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus has also been recognised as a contributing pathogen. Phloretin, a flavonoid present in plants, like apples, is a promising new compound for acne treatment. Its potential rests in a variety of biological activities beyond merely acting as an antioxidant. Phloretin displays anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which could directly target both the inflammatory response and the bacterial component of acne. These multiple mechanisms of action indicate that a phloretin-based gel could offer a comprehensive solution for managing the condition. Antiacne gels containing varying concentrations of Carbopol and phloretin were prepared and evaluated. Key parameters included physical appearance, viscosity, pH, drug content, in vitro drug release, and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The optimized hydrogel (F4) exhibited a pH of 6.68, viscosity of 35.9 cP, and drug content of 80.9%. In vitro release studies showed a maximum drug release of 75% over 120 minutes. The formulation displayed strong antimicrobial activity with an inhibition zone of 11 mm, comparable to the marketed benzoyl peroxide gel. The gel was also well tolerated, with no signs of skin irritancy. Antiacne gel containing phloretin can be regarded as a more effective treatment for acne. The optimized formulation consisted of phloretin, Carbopol, ethanol, sodium benzoate, PEG 400, propylene glycol, and triethanolamine, showing better results in terms of antimicrobial activity. Phloretin-based gel demonstrated promising antiacne potential, achieving effective drug release and significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, while maintaining acceptable physicochemical and dermatological properties.

While advances have been made in mechano-active and gecko-inspired wound dressings, achieving dynamically coordinated adhesion-contraction coupling within a single-material, stimulus-free system with quantitatively programmable contractile output remains an unmet challenge. Here, we engineer bioinspired mechano-intelligent Janus bandages (MIBs) with dynamically coordinated adhesion-contraction for effective wound healing. The MIBs are fabricated through micromolding of poly(lactide-co-propylene glycol-co-lactide) dimethacrylates (PmLnD), featuring an interior surface with a gecko-mimicking wedged structure. Upon application, the MIBs recapitulate the gecko locomotion principle to achieve precise control of contractile forces with dynamically coordinated adhesion-contraction. The simply pre-strained MIB can precisely program its intrinsic contractile force, while adhesion strength proportionally responds to the contractile force through enhanced van der Waals interactions and interfacial friction. This coordinated mechanism promotes healing in rat and porcine full-thickness skin defect models by accelerating re-epithelialization and enhancing angiogenesis. Mechanistically, the MIBs reduce focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression, thereby regulating downstream pathways related to wound healing progression, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Wnt, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathways, enabling scar-attenuated wound healing. We envision that this Janus design, which integrates strain-programmable contraction with reversible gecko-inspired adhesion, offers a useful addition to current mechanobiological strategies for wound management and soft tissue repair.

In the present work, the effect of 1,2-propylene glycol (1,2-PG) or 1,3-butylene glycol (1,3-BG) incorporation on the self-assembling behaviors of polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers in dilute aqueous solutions is extensively investigated. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which the short-chain diol introduction contributes to preventing the phase separation occurring in aqueous makeup cleansing products under high temperatures. The critical micellization concentration and standard free energy of micellization of polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers in 1,2-PG-water mixed solvents steadily increase with increasing concentration of 1,2-PG in water, indicating that the addition to water of 1,2-PG disfavors micelle formation. Additionally, the introduction of 1,2-PG resulted in a significant increase in the effective surface area demand per molecule of polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, pointing to a reduction in the packing tightness of the surfactant molecules. Results of SAXS experiments indirectly demonstrate that the effective critical packing parameter of polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers in the aqueous solution of 1,2-PG decreases with increasing 1,2-PG concentration, which corresponds well with the changes in the cloud point of amphiphiles. NMR measurements confirm that these observations may be related to the swelling of the hydrophilic chain induced by excessive water penetration into the palisade layer, which helps counteract the dehydration of the POE (polyoxyethylene) segments induced by elevated temperatures. Furthermore, 1,3-BG exhibits effects similar to those of 1,2-PG but with a notably stronger intensity.

Hydrodistillation of aromatic plants for essential oil production generates substantial amounts of solid and liquid residues that are commonly discarded despite their potential value as sources of bioactive compounds. In this study, the essential oil and post-distillation residues of Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja were evaluated within a waste-to-value framework to recover phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Dry extracts obtained from liquid (DEA) and solid (DEE) residues were characterized in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity (DPPH assays), and antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms. Quantitative HPLC-PDA analysis revealed multiple phenolic compounds. Extracts derived from solid residues exhibited significantly higher phenolic and flavonoid contents and stronger antioxidant activity than those obtained from liquid residues, indicating that solid by-products constitute a richer phenolic matrix. Antimicrobial assays revealed pronounced activity for extracts prepared from plant material harvested in October, particularly those based on propylene glycol and glycerin, which were effective against both Gram-positive bacteria and selected Gram-negative clinical isolates. The essential oil showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including inhibition of Aspergillus niger . Stability studies demonstrated that the phenolic composition and bioactivity of the dry extracts were largely preserved after one year of storage. These findings demonstrate that R. tomentosum hydrodistillation residues represent a promising source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, supporting their potential utilization as value-added ingredients in food and cosmetic applications and contributing to circular economy strategies. When used epidurally or intravenously during labor or for a short time immediately postpartum, amounts of fentanyl ingested by the neonate are usually small and are not expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Preterm infants are the most susceptible to fentanyl’s effects because their clearance is substantially reduced.[1] The results of studies on the effect of epidural fentanyl on breastfeeding initiation and duration are mixed, because of the many different combinations of drugs, dosages and patient populations studied as well as the variety of techniques used and deficient designs of many of the studies. It has been suggested that a cumulative dose of 80 to 150 mcg of fentanyl during labor and delivery reduces breastfeeding success,[2-4] but another study found no marked decrease in breastfeeding success with doses above 150 mcg in motivated women with previous breastfeeding success.[5] In infants placed skin-to-skin after a normal vaginal delivery, epidural fentanyl given during labor may delay the infant's first suckling in a dose-dependent manner,[6] perhaps because it can persist in the infant's serum for over 24 hours after discontinuation.[7] However, it appears that with good breastfeeding support, epidural fentanyl plus bupivacaine has little overall effect on breastfeeding success.[8-12] No waiting period or discarding of milk is required before resuming breastfeeding after fentanyl is used for short procedures (e.g., for endoscopy).[13,14] After general anesthesia, breastfeeding can be resumed as soon as the mother has recovered sufficiently from anesthesia to nurse. When a combination of anesthetic agents is used for a procedure, follow the recommendations for the most problematic medication used during the procedure. Limited information indicates that transdermal fentanyl in a dosage of 100 mcg/hour results in undetectable fentanyl concentrations in breastmilk. Mothers with opioid use disorder who are using fentanyl have lower breastfeeding initiation rates than other mothers with opioid use disorder.[15] Breastfeeding 72 hours after the birthing parent’s last use of nonprescribed fentanyl h

This study aims to develop and characterize novel dermatocosmetic formulations designed to hydrate the skin, improve its appearance, reduce wrinkles, and provide antioxidant, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with potential protection against UVA and UVB radiation. The formulations contain the following ingredients: xanthan gum (0.5%), Calendula officinalis oil (5%), Argania spinosa oil (5%), Helianthus annuus oil (5%), liposomes containing a hydroalcoholic extract of pomace from local red or white grapes (2%), an olive oil-based emulsifier (6%), vitamin E (0.5%), cetearyl alcohol (3%), propylene glycol (8%), and purified water (up to 100%). The natural ingredients used in these formulations, i.e., the red or white grape pomace extract from the aforementioned Romanian varieties, the oils of Calendula officinalis , Argania spinosa , and Helianthus annuus , xanthan gum, and the olive oil-based emulsifier (Olliva), promote the concept of 'green cosmetics'. The use of liposomes to deliver bioactive substances from hydroalcoholic extracts allows the gradual release of active ingredients into the skin. An alternative for incorporating grape pomace extract into a cream-type matrix involves the use of liposomes. Liposomes loaded with red or white grape pomace extract were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique, followed by ultrasonication and extrusion. The obtained formulations were characterized using bio-physico-chemical analysis procedures in terms of consistency, colour, homogeneity, aroma, pH, stretch, texture, stability, and antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging capacity, as well as in vitro polyphenol release behaviour. These newly developed dermatocosmetic formulations were the subject of a patent application in Romania.