Statistical development and in vivo evaluation of resveratrol-loaded topical gel containing deformable vesicles for a significant reduction in photo-induced skin aging and oxidative stress.

The present study aims to formulate and evaluate a novel vesicular formulation of resveratrol to achieve its dermatological benefits in terms of antiphotoaging and antioxidant. In this study, resveratrol-loaded deformable vesicular gel was prepared and optimized using Box–Behnken design. Selected critical material attributes were amount of phospholipid (X1), concentration of ethanol (X2), and amount of sodium cholate (X3). The prepared transethosomal vesicles were incorporated into carbopol gel base and evaluated. Ultraviolet radiation-induced skin aging and oxidative stress model in Swiss Albino mice was used to evaluate the clinical potential of the developed formulation and compared with conventional gel. Levels of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, protein content, and malondialdehyde were measured to assess the extent of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species inhibition in different groups. DoE was successfully employed to optimize the vesicular formulation. Vesicle size was found to be 158.9 ± 7.65 nm, while values of entrapment efficiency and skin deposition were found to be 77.83 ± 2.87% and 371.84 ± 5.12 µg cm⁻², respectively. Visual skin grading and histopathological studies confirmed the higher efficacy of transethosomal resveratrol against oxidative stress. Significant enhancement in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and protein content confirmed the ameliorated potential of flexible transethosomal resveratrol as compared to the plain gel of resveratrol. Restoration of first-line defense mechanism in chronic UV-exposed animal model has proved that transethosomal resveratrol can be developed as an innovative cosmetic product for significant improvement and repair of photo-aged skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]