Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41062584›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Enhancing transdermal delivery of retinyl acetate via transethosomes with emphasis on the impact of edge activators on penetration, safety, and efficacy.

Nichaporn Wongsirojkul, Masahiro Takagi, Yodsathorn Wongngam, Apsorn Sattayakhom, Issara Prachongsai, Warangkana Chunglok, Pakorn Opaprakasit, Duangporn Polpanich

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nichaporn WongsirojkulSchool of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Masahiro TakagiSchool of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi City, 923-1292, Japan.
Yodsathorn WongngamNational Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand.
Apsorn SattayakhomSchool of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Issara PrachongsaiSchool of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Warangkana ChunglokSchool of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Pakorn OpaprakasitSirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand.
Duangporn PolpanichNational Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand. duangporn@nanotec.or.th.

Funding

Walailak University WU66273
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Transethosomes are advanced lipid-based nanocarriers engineered to improve the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents by combining phospholipids, ethanol, and edge activators (EAs), resulting in enhanced membrane fluidity, deformability, and skin penetration. This study aims to develop and optimize a novel transethosome-based delivery system for retinyl acetate (RA) to overcome its inherent limitations-including poor stability, low bioavailability, and skin irritation-thereby enhancing its therapeutic potential for dermatological and cosmetic applications. The transethosomes were prepared using phosphatidylcholine (PC) from soybean lecithin (SoyPC)/cholesterol (Chol) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/Chol (DOPC/DPPC/Chol), with various EAs including Tween-20, Tween-80, oleic acid (OA), and palmitic acid (PA). Physicochemical characterization revealed vesicle sizes ranging from 168.2 to 246.6 nm, low polydispersity index (PDI ≈ 0.2), and zeta potentials (ζ potential) between - 28 to - 30 mV, indicating uniform distribution and colloidal stability. All formulations exhibited spherical morphology, negative surface charge, and comparable encapsulation efficiencies (close to 90%). In vitro antioxidant activity showed moderate free radical scavenging effects, with up to ~ 40% and ~ 30% in the DPPH and ABTS assay. All formulations showed biocompatibility and improved migration in HaCaT cell assays. Due to the greater membrane fluidity of the SoyPC/Chol system, RA release may be more hindered compared to the DOPC/DPPC/Chol system. Consequently, RA release from the DOPC/DPPC/Chol system was more pronounced, resulting in the greatest enhancement in wound healing and outperforming all other formulations containing different EAs. In contrast, among the SoyPC/Chol formulations, those containing OA and PA exhibited more pronounced and effective results compared to those with Tween-based EAs. This suggests that OA and PA disrupt membrane stability to a greater extent than Tween, thereby facilitating enhanced RA release in the SoyPC/Chol system. Skin permeation studies also revealed that the type of EAs significantly influenced transdermal delivery. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) further validated the role of EAs in modulating membrane organization. Overall, RA-loaded transethosomes enhanced stability, bioavailability, and skin penetration while minimizing irritancy of RA, supporting their potential in dermatological applications. Future studies should investigate their clinical efficacy and biophysical mechanisms, including line tension analysis, to optimize formulation performance for anti-aging and therapeutic skincare.

Indexed as

Drug Delivery SystemsAdministration, CutaneousAnimalsDiterpenesEthanolHumansLiposomesRetinyl EstersSkinSkin AbsorptionDiterpenesEthanolLiposomesRetinyl EstersEdge activatorRetinyl acetateScratch assaySkin permeationTransethosome

Identifiers

PMID41062584
PMCPMC12508095

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.