Curcumin and EGCG combined formulation in nanostructured lipid carriers for anti-aging applications

Curcumin (Cur) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary active compounds in turmeric and green tea, respectively, have been investigated for their anti-aging potential. The Cur and EGCG combination was encapsulated in sustained-release nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to enhance their bioactivities and pharmaceutical properties. A significant enhancement in the antioxidant activities of the Cur and EGCG combination was observed at an optimal ratio, as demonstrated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay (118.83 f 3.78 %), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay (217.25 f 13.45 %), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay (106.08 f 12.93 %), compared to Cur alone without compromising the antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of EGCG. This is due to the enhancement of total phenolic content of the combination of 218.83 f 10.57 %. For anti-aging activities, the combination exhibited stimulation of SIRT1 protein and inhibition of collagenase and elastase of 27.53 f 0.73%, 43.70 f 1.05% and 51.76 f 6.52% compared with that achieved with Cur alone, respectively. The incorporation of the Cur and EGCG combination into NLCs resulted in high entrapment efficiencies of 98.60 f 0.05 % for Cur and 98.40 f 0.08 % for EGCG, with corresponding loading capacities of 0.789 f 0.001 % and 3.935 f 0.003 %, respectively. When formulated NLCs into an emulgel base, the system demonstrated sustained release profiles over 48 h, with 12.82 f 0.99 % release of Cur and 63.77 f 5.76 % release of EGCG. Significant skin retention was also observed after 24 h, with 23.88 f 1.71 % Cur and 22.79 f 4.65 % EGCG retained in the skin. Therefore, Cur: EGCG-loaded NLCs in emulgel can deliver the active compounds into the dermis, enhancing skin penetration, sustained delivery, and anti-aging activity superior to each conventional single active compound in topical formulations.