Development and assessment of rutin loaded transfersomes to improve ex vivo membrane permeability and in vitro efficacy

The melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer begins in the melanocytes, or cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Due to the need of local effect topical administration of anticancer drugs could be the best option for clinical therapy. Present study aimed to formulate transfersomes to enhance the skin penetration of rutin (Rtn). Rutin loaded transfersomes (RtnTFs) were formulated by employing central composite design (CCD) of experiment and comprising of various ratios of phospholipid 90H and sodium deoxycholate as independent variables. The assessment of critical parameters suggested higher encapsulation of Rtn and improved stability of formulation with significant drug release (P < 0.05). The RtnTFs shows higher cell inhibition on Murine skin Melanoma cell line (B16–F10). Further, formulated RtnTFs were incorporated in transdermal patches (TPs) to enhance skin deposition. However the higher deposition of about 0.921 ± 0.23 mg/cm3 of Rtn was observed. RtnTFs-TPs exhibited ideal morphological characteristics in scanning electron microscopic images. Ex-vivo skin diffusion studies revealed the sustained release of about 98 ± 0.26 % drug at the end of 36 h (P < 0.05). Skin irritancy study demonstrated the suitability of RtnTFs-TPs for dermal delivery and with higher stability. Hence the topical delivery with delayed release of drug by enhancing the solubility could be the promising strategy for efficient delivery of anticancer agents.