Novel transethosome coencapsulated combination for acne treatment: in-vitro efficacy and ex-vivo biodistribution studies

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a skin condition affecting approximately 85% of young adults. It is influenced by androgens and primarily occurs in the pilosebaceous unit, where inflammation and obstruction happen. Hyperseborrhea and hyperkeratinization lead to increased levels of fatty acids and necrotic keratinocytes, promoting the proliferation of C. acnes phylotype IA1. METHODS: Here, the in-vitro efficacy of a novel combination on the main processes involved in acne was studied. Furthermore, the combination was coencapsulated in transethosomes to target the pilosebaceous unit, and the biodistribution was analyzed ex vivo by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The combination of compounds reduced inflammatory markers levels, sebum production and 5α-Reductase levels while it induced autophagy and FOXO1 nuclear levels in sebocytes. The compounds coencapsulated in transethosomes reached the pilosebaceous unit as proven by the ex vivo analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed combination of compounds is a promising approach to be included in topical products for the treatment of acne vulgaris.