Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Despite its potent anti-aging efficacy, the practical application of retinol (ROH) remains highly restricted by its poor photostability, low aqueous solubility, and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. Herein, we report the synthesis of a hyaluronic acid−retinol (HA−ROH) conjugate to overcome these limitations and improve transdermal delivery. The successful conjugation was confirmed via proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Notably, the HA−ROH conjugate exhibited remarkable photostability under UVA irradiation compared to free retinol. HA−ROH presented a sustained, hyaluronidase-responsive ROH release profile, indicating its potential as an enzyme-responsive controlled delivery system. Furthermore, the conjugation significantly mitigated the cytotoxicity of retinol in both HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. The conjugate suppressed matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression more effectively than free ROH. In vitro cellular uptake and ex vivo skin permeation studies demonstrated enhanced transdermal delivery of the HA−ROH conjugate. Taken together, these results suggest that the HA−ROH conjugate is a highly promising, stable, and safe candidate for advanced dermatologic and cosmetic applications.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Park et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: