Delivery of 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid from Radiation-Crosslinked Hydrogels to Promote Extracellular Matrix Production in Fibroblasts
- 1BioMatGel Sp. z o.o., Pienista 41F/11, 94-109 Lodz, Poland
- 2Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Wroblewskiego 15, 93-590 Lodz, Poland
- 3Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
Abstract
L-ascorbic acid is a bioactive compound widely used in dermatology and cosmetology, owing to its antioxidant properties and essential role in collagen biosynthesis. However, its poor chemical stability in aqueous formulations considerably limits its incorporation into hydrogel-based delivery systems. In the present study, a radiation-crosslinked hydrogel based on poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol) and agar was developed as a carrier for 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid (EvitC), a stabilized vitamin C derivative, for topical application. The influence of EvitC on hydrogel formation, physicochemical properties, release characteristics and long-term stability was investigated. In parallel, the biological safety and activity of EvitC and EvitC-containing hydrogel were evaluated using human dermal fibroblasts. Cell metabolic activity was assessed using the XTT assay and further supported by the qualitative evaluation of cell viability using Live/Dead staining, while extracellular matrix production was assessed using the Col-F assay. Hydrogels containing 0.1% EvitC exhibited advantageous essential properties, such as gel fraction, swelling capacity and mechanical properties while maintaining the sustained release of the biologically active compound. The components of the hydrogel matrix effectively protected EvitC during radiation processing and storage, thereby confirming the overall stability of the formulation. Neither EvitC nor hydrogel extracts induced cytotoxic effects under all tested conditions. Furthermore, the prolonged exposure of fibroblasts to hydrogel extracts resulted in a moderate but statistically significant increase in ECM-associated Col-F, i.e., collagen- and elastin-associated fluorescence. These findings support the potential of the developed radiation-crosslinked hydrogel as a stable and cytocompatible platform for the topical delivery of EvitC. The combination of favorable physicochemical properties, formulation stability and excellent biological performance highlights its potential for the development of advanced hydrogel-based skin care formulations.
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BibTeX
@article{rokita2026delivery,
title = {{Delivery of 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid from Radiation-Crosslinked Hydrogels to Promote Extracellular Matrix Production in Fibroblasts}},
author = {Bozena Rokita and Agnieszka Adamus-Wlodarczyk and Alicja K. Olejnik and Renata Czechowska-Biskup and Beata Skibska and Slawomir Kadlubowski and Piotr Ulanski and Radoslaw A. Wach},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209028},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9028},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Delivery of 3-O-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic Acid from Radiation-Crosslinked Hydrogels to Promote Extracellular Matrix Production in Fibroblasts
AU - Bozena Rokita
AU - Agnieszka Adamus-Wlodarczyk
AU - Alicja K. Olejnik
AU - Renata Czechowska-Biskup
AU - Beata Skibska
AU - Slawomir Kadlubowski
AU - Piotr Ulanski
AU - Radoslaw A. Wach
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209028
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9028
AB - L-ascorbic acid is a bioactive compound widely used in dermatology and cosmetology, owing to its antioxidant properties and essential role in collagen biosynthesis. However, its poor chemical stability in aqueous formulations considerably limits its incorporation into hydrogel-based delivery systems. In the present study, a radiation-crosslinked hydrogel based on poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol) and agar was developed as a carrier for 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid (EvitC), a stabilized vitamin C derivative, for topical application. The influence of EvitC on hydrogel formation, physicochemical properties, release characteristics and long-term stability was investigated. In parallel, the biological safety and activity of EvitC and EvitC-containing hydrogel were evaluated using human dermal fibroblasts. Cell metabolic activity was assessed using the XTT assay and further supported by the qualitative evaluation of cell viability using Live/Dead staining, while extracellular matrix production was assessed using the Col-F assay. Hydrogels containing 0.1% EvitC exhibited advantageous essential properties, such as gel fraction, swelling capacity and mechanical properties while maintaining the sustained release of the biologically active compound. The components of the hydrogel matrix effectively protected EvitC during radiation processing and storage, thereby confirming the overall stability of the formulation. Neither EvitC nor hydrogel extracts induced cytotoxic effects under all tested conditions. Furthermore, the prolonged exposure of fibroblasts to hydrogel extracts resulted in a moderate but statistically significant increase in ECM-associated Col-F, i.e., collagen- and elastin-associated fluorescence. These findings support the potential of the developed radiation-crosslinked hydrogel as a stable and cytocompatible platform for the topical delivery of EvitC. The combination of favorable physicochemical properties, formulation stability and excellent biological performance highlights its potential for the development of advanced hydrogel-based skin care formulations.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -