Insights from a Box-Behnken Optimization Study of Microemulsions with Salicylic Acid for Acne Therapy

• Main Authors: Maria-Cristina Anicescu (Author), Cristina-Elen (Author), Marina-Theodora Talianu (Author), Mihaela Violeta Ghica (Author), Valentina Anuța (Author), Răzvan-Mihai Prisada (Author), Anca Cecilia Nicoară (Author), Lăcrămioara Popa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

The present study brings to attention a method to develop salicylic acid-based oil in water (O/W) microemulsions using a tensioactive system based on Tween 80, lecithin, and propylene glycol (PG), enriched with a vegetable oat oil phase and hyaluronic acid. The systems were physically characterized and the Quality by design approach was applied to optimize the attributes of microemulsions using Box-Behnken modeling, combined with response surface methodology. For this purpose, a 3³ fractional factorial design was selected. The effect of independent variables namely X1: Tween 80/PG (%), X2: Lecithin (%), X3: Oil phase (%) was analyzed considering their impact upon the internal structure and evaluated parameters chosen as dependent factors: viscosity, mean droplet size, and work of adhesion. A high viscosity, a low droplet size, an adequate wettability-with a reduced mechanical work-and clarity were considered as desirable for the optimal systems. It was found that the optimal microemulsion which complied with the established conditions was based on: Tween 80/PG 40%, lecithin 0.3%, oat oil 2%, salicylic acid 0.5%, hyaluronic acid 1%, and water 56.2%. The response surface methodology was considered an appropriate tool to explain the impact of formulation factors on the physical properties of microemulsions, offering a complex pattern in the assessment of stability and quality attributes for the optimized formulation.

Item Description

10.3390/pharmaceutics14010174
1999-4923