OBJECTIVE

Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with antioxidant and anticancer effects, has limited use due to poor water solubility. The objective of this study was to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of quercetin by developing a topical quercetin nanoemulgel.

METHOD

By optimizing the oil (clove oil) and smix ratio (Tween 20:propylene glycol), quercetin nanoemulsion was prepared by spontaneous emulsification method and then evaluated. The optimized nanoemulsion was further prepared to form quercetin nanoemulgel.

RESULTS

According to evaluation studies, the optimized quercetin nanoemulsion (QUE NE 3) exhibited stability with a negative zeta potential (-38.2 mV), a tiny particle size (98.2 nm), and high entrapment effectiveness (96.36%). The optimized nanoemulsion was formulated into a nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3). Studies on drug release of quercetin nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3) showed improved permeability, with cumulative drug release of 93.56 ± 1.16% in 8 h, which was greater than standard quercetin gel (QG) and drug free loaded nanoemulgel (DFL NEG). This was proved by CLSM which shows the delivery of QUE NEG 3 into the dermis. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects were found in cytotoxicity assays conducted on skin cancer cell lines (TE 354.T, A431, and A375) by using the MTT assay. The results demonstrated that quercetin nanoemulgel (QUE NEG 3) showed higher cytotoxicity of 66.52% especially against A431 cells. Hence proving its ability to treat squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

These findings imply that the quercetin nanoemulgel is a viable drug delivery method for enhancing quercetin's solubility and therapeutic efficacy.