Production and characterization of antioxidant apigenin nanocrystals as a novel UV skin protective formulation

Flavonoids have many positive effects on various cell layers of the skin (e.g. anti-oxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects). However, the limiting factor of the use of flavonoids is their low water solubility. To overcome the poor solubility, apigenin nanosuspensions were prepared using the combination technology (CT), i.e. bead milling and subsequently high pressure homogenization. Distinct reduction in particle size was observed after each bead milling passage resulting in z-average (PCS) of 413 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.202. The LD data showed a similar pattern of particle size reduction reaching a diameter 99% (d(v)99%) of 0.515 mu m. The antioxidant capacity of apigenin nanocrystals were almost doubled compared to the original coarse suspension. The developed smartCrystals can be easily incorporated into gels, which makes apigenin nanocrystals available for dermal application as efficient antioxidant. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.