Enhanced Cutaneous Delivery of Quercetin Using Poloxamer 407–Cellulose Derivative Systems: A Topical Approach…

Abstract

Skin cancer therapy still presents limitations regarding efficacy and invasiveness, which highlights the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Quercetin has emerged as a promising natural compound because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential antitumor effects. However, its clinical topical application is limited by low bioavailability. The use of thermoresponsive and bioadhesive polymeric systems constitutes a promising strategy for topical administration. This study aimed to investigate formulations composed of poloxamer 407 and cellulose derivatives containing quercetin for the treatment of skin cancers. Therefore, the systems were evaluated regarding in vitro quercetin release profile, ex vivo skin permeation, micelle morphology, formulation toxicity using Artemia salina, cytotoxicity, and effects on cell proliferation using fibroblasts and melanoma cells. The formulations showed prolonged release, promoting controlled quercetin release over time, and the ability to permeate deeper skin layers. The hydrodynamic diameter was within the nanometric scale, and the systems exhibited a homogeneous micellar distribution. None of the formulations were cytotoxic or cytostatic in both fibroblasts and melanoma cell lines. The F2-Q4 altered cellular metabolic activity in melanoma cells, suggesting a modulation of cellular metabolism. Interestingly, this effect was not observed in nontumoral fibroblasts. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved and investigate the potential of this system for topical melanoma treatment.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{furlan2026enhanced,
  title = {{Enhanced Cutaneous Delivery of Quercetin Using Poloxamer 407–Cellulose Derivative Systems: A Topical Approach Aimed at Melanoma Therapy}},
  author = {Gabrielli Furlan and Jéssica Bassi da Silva and Lidiane Vizioli de Castro Hoshino and Mauro Luciano Baesso and Fernanda Fogagnoli Simas and Marcos Luciano Bruschi},
  journal = {ACS Omega},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1021/acsomega.6c06908},
  url = {https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/42/65068/5449645/Enhanced-Cutaneous-Delivery-of-Quercetin-Using},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Enhanced Cutaneous Delivery of Quercetin Using Poloxamer 407–Cellulose Derivative Systems: A Topical Approach Aimed at Melanoma Therapy
AU  - Gabrielli Furlan
AU  - Jéssica Bassi da Silva
AU  - Lidiane Vizioli de Castro Hoshino
AU  - Mauro Luciano Baesso
AU  - Fernanda Fogagnoli Simas
AU  - Marcos Luciano Bruschi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/13
JO  - ACS Omega
DO  - 10.1021/acsomega.6c06908
UR  - https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/42/65068/5449645/Enhanced-Cutaneous-Delivery-of-Quercetin-Using
AB  - Skin cancer therapy still presents limitations regarding efficacy and invasiveness, which highlights the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. Quercetin has emerged as a promising natural compound because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential antitumor effects. However, its clinical topical application is limited by low bioavailability. The use of thermoresponsive and bioadhesive polymeric systems constitutes a promising strategy for topical administration. This study aimed to investigate formulations composed of poloxamer 407 and cellulose derivatives containing quercetin for the treatment of skin cancers. Therefore, the systems were evaluated regarding in vitro quercetin release profile, ex vivo skin permeation, micelle morphology, formulation toxicity using Artemia salina, cytotoxicity, and effects on cell proliferation using fibroblasts and melanoma cells. The formulations showed prolonged release, promoting controlled quercetin release over time, and the ability to permeate deeper skin layers. The hydrodynamic diameter was within the nanometric scale, and the systems exhibited a homogeneous micellar distribution. None of the formulations were cytotoxic or cytostatic in both fibroblasts and melanoma cell lines. The F2-Q4 altered cellular metabolic activity in melanoma cells, suggesting a modulation of cellular metabolism. Interestingly, this effect was not observed in nontumoral fibroblasts. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved and investigate the potential of this system for topical melanoma treatment.
SN  - 2470-1343
ER  -

Abstract

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