Development and In Vitro penetration test of ethosomal cream-containing pegagan (centella asiatica) herbal extract

Objective: This study aimed to formulate and characterize ethosome-containing Centella asiatica herbal extract at various concentrations and evaluate the in vitro penetration ability of an ethosome-containing cream. Methods: The ethosomes were formulated using a thin-layer hydration method with a rotary vacuum evaporator. The asiaticoside content was determined by thin-layer chromatography densitometry. Results: Based on the characterization results, F1 was the best ethosomal formula. F1 had the properties of a spherical shape, entrapment efficiency of 75.03±0.295%, particle size of 94.71±2.807 nm, and zeta potential of -25.067±0.814 mV. Therefore, the F1 ethosomes were formulated into a cream with a stearic acid base. The physical stability and in vitro penetration ability of the ethosomal cream were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells and then compared to a non-ethosomal cream. Based on the results of the penetration study, the cumulative penetration and flux rates of the ethosomal cream were superior to those of the non-ethosomal cream. The cumulative penetration depths of the ethosomal and non-ethosomal creams were 3651.271±37.579 and 2873.016±36.850 µg/cm2, respectively. Conclusion: Incorporation of asiaticoside into ethosomes can increase its skin penetration ability.