Drug Delivery Strategies for Avobenzone: A Case Study of Photostabilization

Abstract

Several developments and research methods are ongoing in drug technology and chemistry research to elicit effectiveness regarding the therapeutic activity of drugs along with photoprotection for their molecular integrity. The detrimental effect of UV light induces damaged cells and DNA, which leads to skin cancer and other phototoxic effects. The application of sunscreen shields to the skin is important, along with recommended UV filters. Avobenzone is widely used as a UVA filter for skin photoprotection in sunscreen formulations. However, keto-enol tautomerism propagates photodegradation into it, which further channelizes the phototoxic and photoirradiation effects, further limiting its use. Several approaches have been used to counter these issues, including encapsulation, antioxidants, photostabilizers, and quenchers. To seek the gold standard approach for photoprotection in photosensitive drugs, combinations of strategies have been implemented to identify effective and safe sunscreen agents. The stringent regulatory guidelines for sunscreen formulations, along with the availability of limited FDA-approved UV filters, have led many researchers to develop perfect photostabilization strategies for available photostable UV filters, such as avobenzone. From this perspective, the objective of the current review is to summarize the recent literature on drug delivery strategies implemented for the photostabilization of avobenzone that could be useful to frame industrially oriented potential strategies on a large scale to circumvent all possible photounstable issues of avobenzone.

A Survey of UV Filters Used in Sunscreen Cosmetics

“…Photodegradation of unstable UV filters such as avobenzone can be prevented by the use of photostabilizers, encapsulation, antioxidants, and the application of quenchers [42]. In addition, combining avobenzone with other photostable filters such as octocrylene and Tinosorb S can also prevent photodegradation [43,44].…”

“…In addition, combining avobenzone with other photostable filters such as octocrylene and Tinosorb S can also prevent photodegradation [43,44]. Its photostability can also be improved by loading in cyclodextrin, e.g., beta-cyclodextrin polymers (pbCD) crosslinked by epichlorohydrin (pbCDE), or liposome lipid nanoparticles, microparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles [42,45].…”

Incorporation of UV Filters into Oil-in-Water Emulsions—Release and Permeability Characteristics

“…In addition, D [3,2]-the surface-weighted mean (Sauter mean) estimating the mean size of a given particle distribution was provided [35].…”

“…They can be divided into inorganic (physical) and organic (chemical) agents [2]. UV blockers are sunscreen formulations' components and protect against harmful radiation by reflecting, scattering, or absorbing UV rays [3][4][5]. Depending on the type of photoblocker, the mode of their action is different.…”

Design of Proanthocyanidins and TiO2 Nanoparticles‐Based Novel Emulsions as a Platform for UV Protection

“…[12] As one of UVA filters, avobenzone (1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3-propanedione, AVB) possesses a high molar absorption coefficient and has been widely used for UVA absorber. [14] However, the photochemical instability of AVB limits its application. [15] In order to solve this problem, several strategies, such as encapsulation, inclusion of antioxidants and photo stabilizers have been reported.…”