Improvement of the solubility, photostability, antioxidant activity and UVB photoprotection of trans-resveratrol by essential oil based microemulsions for topical application

Topical application of trans -resveratrol was limited due to its insolubility and instability problems. In this work, three kinds of essential oil based microemulsions containing rose oil (RO-ME), jasmine oil (JO-ME) and lemon oil (LO-ME) were prepared, constituted of Cremophor EL/1,2-propanediol/essential oils (47: 23: 30, w/w). All the three microemulsions could significantly improve the solubility and photostability of trans -resveratrol. Moreover, they could sustain the release of trans -resveratrol. Antioxidant activity study demonstrated that trans -resveratrol loaded microemulsions exhibited higher scavenging activities than both trans -resveratrol and blank microemulsions. The cell experiments demonstrated that RO-ME and JO-ME had lower cytotoxicity on HaCaT cells than LO-ME. The trans -resveratrol loaded RO-ME and JO-ME could significantly protect the cells from UVB damage. Finally, the in vitro skin permeation study exhibited that the microemulsions could enhance the skin permeation of trans -resveratrol in comparison to the aqueous solution. In summary, the essential oil based microemulsions could improve the solubility, photostability, antioxidant activity and UVB photoprotection of trans -resveratrol, which will be beneficial to its topical application.