A promising protected ascorbic acid-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite as a skin anti-ager: A detailed photo-and thermal stability study

A new ascorbic acid (AA) nanocomposite with low toxicity and high photo and thermal stability is constructed for certain dermatological applications in humans. The presented nanocomposite consists of AA, nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The physicochemical properties of such CMC-nHAp-AA nanocomposite were characterized using X-Ray diffractometery (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and UV–VIS spectroscopies. The size and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by TEM/SEM techniques. A detailed photo and thermal stability studies were performed to examine the stability of AA in the proposed nanocomposite. The AA content showed great stability against sunlight up to 3h or more and against heat up to 100°C, whereas it showed relatively limited stability against laser light up to 10min depending on the laser type. Cytotoxicity endpoints, evaluating the cell viability and IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) have been performed for the exposed synthesized nanocomposite. There wasn't any effect on the cell viability up to 50μg/mL of CMC-nHAp-AA nanocomposite. Based on IC50 values, it has been found that after 24h of observation the IC50 of CMC-nHAp-AA nanocomposite was 0.199μg/mL which depicts high safety profile of the proposed nanocomposite. The produced nanocomposite (CMC-nHAp-AA) is expected to possess great potential in dermatological applications due to its high stability and increased proliferative capacity which lasts longer than AA alone. [Display omitted] •A new ascorbic acid nanocomposite with low toxicity and high stability is proposed.•Great stability against sunlight and heat with limited stability against lasers•The stability relies on protection from hydroxyapatite and carboxymethyl cellulose.•The proposed nanocomposite showed high safety profile up to 50μg/mL.•The composite is expected to have great potential in dermatological applications.