Comparative Study of Lycopene-Loaded Niosomes Prepared by Microfluidic and Thin-Film Hydration Techniques for UVB Protection and Anti-Hyperpigmentation Activity

Niosomes are employed for their improved physical properties and stability and as a controlled delivery system. However, their large-scale production and different preparation methods affect their physical properties. The microfluidic method represents a novel approach to the preparation of niosomes that enables precise control and decreases the preparation time and steps compared to alternative methods. The UVB protection and anti-hyperpigmentation activities of lycopene-loaded niosomes prepared by microfluidic (MF) and novel conventional thin-film hydration (THF) methods were compared. Extract powders from tomatoes (T), carrots (C), and mixed red vegetables (MR) were utilized to prepare lycopene-rich extract-entrapped niosomes. The resulting niosome formulations were characterized by particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, FT-IR spectra, entrapment efficiency, lycopene-release profile, permeation, and stability. The lycopene extract-niosome formulations were evaluated for their potential to provide UVB protection to human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and for their anti-melanogenesis effects on B16F10 melanoma cells. The results indicated that niosomes prepared by the MF method exhibited high uniformity and homogeneity (reflected by a low PDI value) and maintained smaller sizes when processed through a chip utilizing a hydrodynamic flow-focusing (HFF) platform compared to THF niosomes. The release kinetics of all lycopene-niosome formulations followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The FT-IR spectra indicated that lycopene was incorporated into the niosome bilaminar membrane. Moreover, niosomes obtained from MF demonstrated enhanced stability during heating-cooling cycles, along with high UVB protection and anti-melanogenesis effects. Therefore, these developed niosome preparation methods could be effectively applied to topical products.