HEC-Based Emulgels as Vehicles for NaDES Extracts: Safety, Efficacy, and Sensory Evaluation.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Boulevard Dr. Zorana Djindjića 81, 18108 Niš, Serbia.
- 2Department for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Institute for Medicinal Plant Research "Dr. Josif Pančić", Tadeuša Koscuška 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
- 3Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia.
- 4The Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, Studentski trg 12/V, 11158 Beograd, Serbia.
Abstract
Natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) extracts exhibit substantial bioactive potential, including antioxidant, UV-protective, and enzyme-inhibitory activities, owing to their rich phytochemical composition. However, their incorporation into appropriate dermal delivery systems is essential to maximize their efficacy. Our previous studies identified emulgels as innovative and effective vehicles for NaDES extracts of green tea and bilberry leaves. In the present study, the in vivo performance of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based emulgels containing 12% (w/w) NaDES extracts was evaluated. Formulations stabilized with cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate (5%) were compared with those stabilized using cetearyl alcohol/cetearyl glucoside (6%) in a study involving 25 healthy volunteers. Over a 28-day application period, key biophysical skin parameters, including skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (EI), skin capacitance (EC), melanin index (MI), and friction coefficient (F), were monitored. Additionally, a 24 h skin safety assessment and a sensory evaluation were conducted. Both formulations demonstrated excellent safety profiles, with no signs of irritation observed during the 24 h safety study. The emulgels stabilized with cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate produced significant improvements in skin biophysical parameters. Skin barrier recovery, indicated by a reduction in TEWL, was achieved within two weeks, while enhanced skin hydration was maintained throughout the study period. Sensory evaluation further demonstrated superior spreadability of the olivate-based formulations. Overall, these findings confirm that HEC-based emulgels are promising dermal delivery systems for NaDES extracts, combining excellent safety, efficacy, and favorable sensory properties.
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BibTeX
@article{martinovic2026hecbased,
title = {{HEC-Based Emulgels as Vehicles for NaDES Extracts: Safety, Efficacy, and Sensory Evaluation.}},
author = {Milica Martinović and Vanja M Tadić and Ana Žugić and Slavica Blagojević and Stevan Blagojević and Ivana Nešić},
journal = {Gels (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/gels12100870},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929905},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - HEC-Based Emulgels as Vehicles for NaDES Extracts: Safety, Efficacy, and Sensory Evaluation.
AU - Milica Martinović
AU - Vanja M Tadić
AU - Ana Žugić
AU - Slavica Blagojević
AU - Stevan Blagojević
AU - Ivana Nešić
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/25
JO - Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/gels12100870
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929905
AB - Natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) extracts exhibit substantial bioactive potential, including antioxidant, UV-protective, and enzyme-inhibitory activities, owing to their rich phytochemical composition. However, their incorporation into appropriate dermal delivery systems is essential to maximize their efficacy. Our previous studies identified emulgels as innovative and effective vehicles for NaDES extracts of green tea and bilberry leaves. In the present study, the in vivo performance of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based emulgels containing 12% (w/w) NaDES extracts was evaluated. Formulations stabilized with cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate (5%) were compared with those stabilized using cetearyl alcohol/cetearyl glucoside (6%) in a study involving 25 healthy volunteers. Over a 28-day application period, key biophysical skin parameters, including skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (EI), skin capacitance (EC), melanin index (MI), and friction coefficient (F), were monitored. Additionally, a 24 h skin safety assessment and a sensory evaluation were conducted. Both formulations demonstrated excellent safety profiles, with no signs of irritation observed during the 24 h safety study. The emulgels stabilized with cetearyl olivate/sorbitan olivate produced significant improvements in skin biophysical parameters. Skin barrier recovery, indicated by a reduction in TEWL, was achieved within two weeks, while enhanced skin hydration was maintained throughout the study period. Sensory evaluation further demonstrated superior spreadability of the olivate-based formulations. Overall, these findings confirm that HEC-based emulgels are promising dermal delivery systems for NaDES extracts, combining excellent safety, efficacy, and favorable sensory properties.
SN - 2310-2861
ER -