Development and characterization of alpha-lipoic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier hydrogel

The objective of this study was focused on the development and characterization of topically applicable hydrogel containing alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). The NLC was prepared by high pressure homogenization (HPH) method, the optimized formulation of NLC was then incorporated in Carbopol 940 hydrogel for transdermal application, and a series of characteristic methods of NLC-loaded hydrogel were studied. The results indicated that the hydrogel enriched with NLC possessed a longer sustained drug release than NLC, further, enhanced the viscosity of NLC and increased skin moisturization. Therefore, ALA-loaded NLC hydrogel may be a promising approach in cosmetical products.