The aim of this study was to develop hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd extract for transdermal delivery of capsaicin. The addition of wax gourd extract was supposed to reduce cytotoxicity of capsaicin in capsicum extract against HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Capsicum extract nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method using hyaluronic acid as a stabilizer. The physical and chemical stability of capsicum extract nanoparticles were investigated by dynamic light scattering technique and UV–Visible spectrophotometry, respectively. Hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd fruit extract was then formulated by using Carbopol 940® as a gelling agent for transdermal delivery. The skin permeability of capsaicin from the hydrogel was evaluated by Franz diffusion cell approach. The cytotoxicity reduction of capsicum extract nanoparticles and capsicum extract nanoparticles by mixing with wax gourd extract was determined by MTT assay The results showed that capsicum extract nanoparticles exhibited an average diameter of 168.4 ± 5.3 nm with a polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 0.26 ± 0.01 and −45.7 ± 7.1 mV, respectively. After two month-storage, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential values of capsicum extract nanoparticles stored at 4° C, 30° C, and 45 °C did not significantly change. The capsaicin content decreased to 78%, 71%, and 72% when stored at 4 °C, 30 °C, and 45 °C for three months, respectively. The pH values of hydrogel containing capsicum extract nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 5.58–6.05 indicating good stability. The hydrogel exhibited a pseudoplastic character. The rate of permeation flux of capsaicin from hydrogel was 7.96 µg/cm²/h. A significant increase in cell viability was observed when the cells were incubated with capsicum extract nanoparticles mixed with wax gourd, compared to capsicum extract nanoparticles alone. The wax gourd extract in the hydrogel protected HaCaT cells from capsaicin cytotoxicity, thus may provide a new approach for delivery of capsaicin to reduce cytotoxicity to skin cells.

这项研究的目的是开发装载辣椒提取物纳米颗粒和葫芦提取物的水凝胶，用于辣椒素的透皮递送。据推测，添加冬瓜提取物可以减少辣椒提取物中辣椒素对HaCaT角质形成细胞系的细胞毒性。以透明质酸为稳定剂，通过溶剂置换法制备辣椒提取物纳米粒子。辣椒提取物纳米粒子的物理和化学稳定性分别通过动态光散射技术和紫外可见分光光度法进行了研究。然后，通过使用Carbopol940®作为用于透皮递送的胶凝剂，配制载有辣椒提取物纳米颗粒和葫芦果实提取物的水凝胶。辣椒素从水凝胶中的皮肤渗透性通过Franz扩散池方法进行评估。通过MTT分析测定辣椒提取物纳米颗粒和辣椒提取物纳米颗粒与蜡葫芦提取物混合后的细胞毒性降低结果。结果表明，辣椒提取物纳米颗粒平均直径为168.4±5.3 nm，多分散指数和ζ电势值为0.26±0.01和-45.7±7.1 mV。储存两个月后，在4°C，30°C和45°C下储存的辣椒提取物纳米颗粒的粒径，多分散指数和Zeta电位值没有明显变化。当分别在4°C，30°C和45°C下存放三个月时，辣椒素的含量分别降至78％，71％和72％。发现含有辣椒提取物纳米颗粒的水凝胶的pH值在5.58–6.05之间，表明其具有良好的稳定性。水凝胶表现出假塑性特征。² /小时。与单独的辣椒提取物纳米颗粒相比，当将细胞与混合有蜡葫芦的辣椒提取物纳米颗粒孵育时，观察到细胞活力显着增加。水凝胶中的冬瓜提取物可保护HaCaT细胞免受辣椒素的细胞毒性作用，因此可提供一种新的辣椒素递送途径，以减少对皮肤细胞的细胞毒性。