Development and evaluation of topical microemulsion of dibenzoylmethane for treatment of UV induced photoaging

Dibenzoylmethane (DBM), a phytochemical agent, occurring as a minor constituent in the root extracts of liquorice has a potential for anti-photoaging effects. It acts as a UVA absorber that filters out and prevents the penetration of UV radiations into various cell components. In this study, DBM loaded o/w microemulsion (ME) was developed and evaluated for anti-photoaging effect in mice. The ME was evaluated for various physicochemical characteristics, stability, ex-vivoskin permeation studies and in vivoevaluation in mice model of UV-radiation induced photodamage. The mean globule size of DBM loaded ME was found to be 35.550 ± 4.879 nm. The mean cumulative amount permeated/area and skin retention of DBM in 24 h from the ME was 6.81 and 5.16 folds higher, respectively as compared to the conventional cream of DBM. In vivoanti-photoaging effect on mice skin was evaluated in terms of visual scoring, pinch test, biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. Results clearly demonstrated the promising efficacy of ME formulation in preventing wrinkles, lesions and other macroscopic and microscopic changes associated with chronic UV exposure. Hence, it can be concluded that DBM ME can be used effectively used as sunscreen agent to protect against the damaging effect of UV rays.