Formulation and Evaluation of Salicylic Acid Liposome Incorporated in Liquorice Gel for Acne Management
Kasim Gulamaliwala, Sonam Kumari, Tularam Barot, Aditya Singh, Riya RomyBackground:
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition characterized by inflammation, bacterial involvement, and excessive sebum production. It affects millions of people worldwide. Conventional topical treatments may cause dryness and skin irritation and may have limited drug penetration. A liposomal gel incorporating liquorice extract and salicylic acid was developed to potentially minimize these limitations and improve therapeutic performance. Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, is known for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to prevent pore blockage. Liquorice extract possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties that may provide additional benefits for acne-prone skin.
Methods:
The aim of this study was to develop a liquorice-incorporated, salicylic acid-loaded liposomal gel for improved topical management of acne. Liposomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and subsequently incorporated into a suitable gel base.
Results:
Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate potential interactions between the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and the excipients. The formulated liposomal gel was further evaluated for particle size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, viscosity, spreadability, and drug release. The liposomes exhibited a particle size of 498 nm, a PDI of 0.2298, and a zeta potential of −23.22 mV. The drug entrapment efficiency was 72%, while the in vitro drug release study demonstrated 71% cumulative release of salicylic acid over 8 hours.
Discussion:
The present study successfully developed a salicylic acid-loaded liposomal gel incorporating liquorice extract for potential acne management. The liposomal formulation exhibited a particle size of 498 nm with a PDI of 0.2298, indicating a relatively narrow particle-size distribution. The zeta potential was −23.22 mV, and the drug entrapment efficiency was 72%. The in vitro drug-release study demonstrated a 71% cumulative release of salicylic acid over 8 hours. These findings indicate promising physicochemical characteristics and a sustained in vitro release profile. However, skin penetration, follicular targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and safety were not directly evaluated in the present study.
Conclusion:
The developed liposomal gel demonstrated promising physicochemical characteristics for potential acne management, including sustained drug release. The incorporation of liquorice extract may provide additional anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, making the formulation a potential candidate for topical acne treatment. Further in vivo studies are warranted to evaluate skin penetration, therapeutic efficacy, and safety and to confirm its potential clinical applicability.