Use of photoacoustic spectroscopy in the characterization of inclusion complexes of benzophenone-3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and ex vivo evaluation of the percutaneous penetration of sunscreen

Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) was used in the characterization of inclusion complexes of benzophenone-3 and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and suggested a complexation in the stoichiometric ratio of 1:2. PAS was also used to analyze the ex vivo percutaneous penetration of sunscreens and showed that the formulation with the complex resulted in lower penetration of BZ-3. This work is aimed to evaluate the application of photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) in the characterization of inclusion complexes of benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) and to analyze the ex vivo percutaneous penetration of sunscreens and their reaction with the skin. The formation of inclusion complexes of BZ-3 and HPCD was performed by co-precipitation in stoichiometric ratios of 1:1 and 1:2. Thermal analysis and PAS characterized these inclusion complexes, and they indicated that the stoichiometric ratio of 1:2 was best. Sunscreen formulations were prepared and applied on the ears of rabbits. PAS suggested that the formulation with the complex resulted in lower penetration of BZ-3. Histological analysis demonstrated that the use of the formulation with BZ-3 was associated with an increase in the comedogenic effect and the presence of acanthosis, while no such effect was found in the formulation with the complex. The formulation with the BZ-3-HPCD complex is a promising strategy for improving the photoprotective effect of BZ-3. PAS can be used in the study of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins and the evaluation of the percutaneous penetration of sunscreen formulations. Further tests are being conducted using PAS to monitor in vivo changes in the optical absorption spectra of formulations and to investigate their photostability.