Lipid formulations for topical use: the advantages of polyoxazolines for targeted delivery

Lecture by Laurianne SIMON from the Galenic Pharmacy, Biomaterials, and Cosmetology Laboratory and the ICGM as part of Pharmacy Tuesdays.

The skin, our main protective barrier against external aggressions, is increasingly under attack from environmental sources. Daily aggressions (pollution, tobacco, UV rays, etc.) generate an overproduction of free radicals, which leads to premature skin aging and promotes the development of skin diseases and cancers. To effectively neutralize excess radicals, active ingredients (antioxidants) must be delivered in situ, deep into the epidermis. But how can they effectively penetrate the skin without damaging it?

To achieve this goal, we developed customized lipid nanoformulations at ICGM, in Prof. Sylvie Begu's team, to deliver antioxidants to the epidermis. These nanoformulations were developed using bio-inspired polymers that partially mimic the structure of our skin: polyoxazolines. This enabled us to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the polymer formulations and validate their efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The formulations were able to penetrate the skin without damaging cells to deliver the encapsulated antioxidants to the epidermis.

This research therefore paves the way for new skin therapies to treat conditions such as psoriasis and melanoma, which are becoming significantly more prevalent worldwide.

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