Prominent efficiency in skin delivery of resveratrol by novel sucrose oleate microemulsion.

Objectives: To achieve an efficient skin delivery of resveratrol using sucrose fatty acid ester microemulsions and to clarify the mechanism of enhanced penetration.

Methods: Skin delivery of resveratrol using different sucrose fatty acid ester microemulsions was examined in vitro. Vehicle-skin interaction was assessed by applying blank microemulsions to skin. Skin incorporation of microemulsion components was also assessed.

Key Findings: The microemulsion consisting of sucrose oleate (SO), ethanol, isopropyl myristate (IPM) and water (MESO-E) showed a prominent increase in the amount of skin incorporation of resveratrol, which was more than 5-fold higher than those of all microemulsions we previously examined. Using MESO-E, resveratrol was rapidly incorporated into skin and mainly located in the dermis. When applied in the concentration range of 5-55 mm, the amount of skin incorporation of resveratrol increased with the applied concentration up to 30 mm, whereas skin incorporation efficiency was inversely proportional to the concentration. The microemulsion-skin interaction seemed to be involved in the enhanced skin delivery process of resveratrol by MESO-E. Stratum corneum modification due to the penetration of IPM, ethanol and SO is also involved in this interaction.

Conclusions: MESO-E would be a promising vehicle for the efficient skin delivery of resveratrol, especially when applied at a low concentration.