Formulation Design, Response Surface Methodology-Based Optimization And Characterization Of Linseed Oil Emulgel for Skin Care
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Abstract
Background: Linseed oil is a lipophilic natural oil with potential topical utility, but its poor aqueous solubility and formulation limitations require an appropriate semisolid delivery system. Emulgels provide a suitable platform for incorporating oil-based active ingredients while maintaining spreadability, consistency, and topical acceptability. Objective: This study aimed to formulate, optimize, and characterize linseed oil-loaded oil-in-water emulgels using response surface methodology, with rose oil and lemon oil evaluated as formulation variables. Methods: Thirteen emulgel formulations were prepared using Carbopol-940 as the gelling polymer, Tween 20 and Span 20 as surfactants, propylene glycol as a co-solvent, and varying concentrations of rose oil and lemon oil. Formulations were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, drug yield, drug content, FTIR compatibility, thermal behavior, in-vitro release through a cellophane membrane, release kinetics, response surface model fit, in-vitro SPF, preliminary antimicrobial activity, skin-irritation observation, and accelerated stability. Results: All formulations were smooth, homogeneous, transparent, and free from visible phase separation, with pH values of 6.7–6.8 ± 0.1 and viscosity ranging from 640 × 10³ to 671 × 10³ cps. EG6, containing 0.75 g rose oil and 1.8 g lemon oil, showed the highest 24-hour cumulative release of 96.69 ± 0.01%. The RSM model was significant (p = 0.0394), and the quadratic effect of rose oil was significant (p = 0.0321), indicating a nonlinear release response. SPF values ranged from 14.56 ± 0.01 to 19.9 ± 0.01, and EG6 showed 85% antimicrobial inhibition with no visible irritation in ten volunteers over seven days. Conclusion: EG6 demonstrated the most favorable preliminary formulation performance within the tested design space, supporting further ex-vivo, microbiological, dermatological, and in-vivo evaluation of linseed oil emulgel
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