Novel oleogels for topical delivery of quercetin based on mesoporous silica MCM-41 and HMS particles

Quercetin is a flavonoid with high antioxidant activity, and thus it is an appropriate candidate for incorporation in dermal dosage forms. Unfortunately, the limited skin penetration, low water solubility and chemical instability of quercetin make it typically difficult for incorporation in sustained-release dermal and transdermal drug formulations where the dissolution speed is controlled mainly by the physio-chemical characteristics of the active substance. In the present study we discussed new sustained-release systems for dermal delivery of quercetin, based on two types of mesoporous silica particles, incorporated in oleogel. The biopharmaceutical evaluation revealed better water solubility of quercetin after its incorporation in the silica materials and achievement of controlled drug release after inclusion of the particles in oleogel. Our studies showed that the drug loaded mesoporous silica nanosystems and the corresponded oleogels demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and lack of hypersensitivity of quercetin formulations.