Babassu Oil-Based Thermoresponsive Emulgels for Enhanced Topical Delivery of Curcumin: Physicochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The development of effective topical delivery systems for hydrophobic bioactive compounds remains a significant challenge due to their poor aqueous solubility, limited physicochemical stability, and low bioavailability. In this study, thermoresponsive nanostructured emulgels based on Pluronic F127 and Carbopol 974P were developed as potential platforms for curcumin topical application. Babassu oil ( Attalea speciosa ), a renewable Amazonian lipid resource, was incorporated as both a lipid phase and functional excipient, providing a distinctive formulation strategy that combines a chemically characterized natural oil with a thermoresponsive polymeric matrix. This approach aimed to improve Cur dispersion, formulation stability, and topical applicability while promoting the use of sustainable materials. The formulations were systematically optimized to achieve stable systems with suitable physicochemical and rheological properties for topical application. Structural characterization confirmed the formation of homogeneous systems exhibiting temperature-dependent sol–gel transitions and appropriate viscosity, ensuring ease of application and retention at the site of administration. The incorporation of babassu oil improved curcumin dispersion within the polymeric matrix and contributed to overall formulation stability. Biological assays indicated preliminary inhibitory activity in a semiquantitative resazurin-based screening against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, while cytotoxicity studies indicated acceptable cytocompatibility under the tested conditions. Among the Cur-loaded formulations, FC2 showed the most favorable cytocompatibility profile, whereas FC1 showed the strongest preliminary inhibitory response in the antimicrobial screening. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of thermoresponsive emulgels as sustainable and multifunctional platforms for topical application of hydrophobic bioactive compounds. Based on the current data set, FC2 is considered the most balanced candidate for further topical development, while FC1 should be prioritized for future confirmatory antimicrobial efficacy studies.