Development and characterization of clay facial mask containing turmeric extract solid dispersion

Structure and properties of chlorogenic acid-loaded polylactide fiber prepared by melt spinning

Polylactide/chlorogenic acid (PLA/CGA) blends with different weight ratios were prepared by melt mixing, and corresponding PLA/CGA fibers were produced via a two-step melt spinning process. For PLA/CGA blends, CGA was distributed uniformly in the PLA matrix. The intermolecular interactions between CGA and PLA existed. The viscosity of PLA/CGA blends was much lower than that of neat PLA. With the increase of CGA content, the viscosity of PLA/CGA blends decreased. As the CGA content increased, the crystallinity of both PLA/CGA blends and fibers decreased. In addition, the tensile strength of PLA/CGA fibers was slightly lower than that of neat PLA fiber. For PLA/CGA fibers, the 6-fold drawn PLA/CGA fiber with 3 % CGA owned the highest tensile strength of 420 MPa. The ultraviolet (UV) resistance of PLA/CGA fibers were enhanced significantly by the introduction of CGA. When the CGA content was not <3 %, the UV transmittance of PLA/CGA fibers was <8 %. Moreover, PLA/CGA fibers exhibited good antioxidant properties. PLA/CGA fibers with 10 % CGA owned the highest antioxidant rate of >90 %. In addition, the 6-fold drawn PLA/CGA fiber with 10 % CGA presented excellent release performance with a 7-day cumulative CGA release rate of 19 %.

Starch- and carboxymethyl cellulose-based films as active beauty masks with papain incorporation

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of the incorporation of papain in biopolymeric-based beauty face masks with exfoliation activity of the skin. The masks were produced by casting with starch and carboxymethyl cellulose blend (50:50 weight percentages). The macro and microstructure, protein distribution, thickness, moisture content, water contact angle, solubility matter, and mechanical properties were evaluated. Moreover, the in vitro proteolytic and exfoliation activity and storage stability were also evaluated. The films with papain had a more concise matrix which provided higher mechanical properties and lower water solubility when compared to the control film (without papain). Films with 1, 2, and 5 % of papain had enzymatic activity for casein and porcine skin substrates. The micrographs of porcine skin treated with 2 and 5 % of papain showed more difference when compared to the control sample, indicating the enzymatic exfoliation. Differently from the solution of papain, the enzyme that was immobilized in the films maintained its activity for up 90 days during the storage stability assay. Based on the physicochemical properties and proteolytic activities, the films preserved the exfoliation activity of papain and have interesting characteristics to act as beauty masks in the cosmetic field.

Exploring the potential of solid dispersion for improving solubility, dissolution & bioavailability of herbal extracts, enriched fractions, and bioactives

Most drugs' poor aqueous solubility has emerged as a significant challenge in achieving proper therapeutic response following oral administration. Herbal drugs are being used from time immemorial to prevent, mitigate, and cure multiple diseases. However, most of the bioactives phytoconstituents possess limited aqueous solubility & poor oral bioavailability. Solid dispersion (SD) has been realised as an efficient formulation to overcome hydrophobic candidates' solubility issues and improve their oral bioavailability. The current review mainly explores the potential of SD for improving solubility, dissolution & bioavailability of herbal extracts, enriched fractions, and isolated bioactives. Hence, basics of SD, selection of excipients, need for SD of plant products, SD of plant products, selection of preparation method, the chemistry of phytoconstituent-excipient interaction, and hurdles associated with SD of herbal extract/enriched fraction were explored in this review. The SD has the potential to overcome solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability issues of poorly soluble phytoconstituents.