Physicochemical and rheological properties of a novel monoolein-based vesicle gelElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Further SAXS experiments. See DOI: 10.1039/c2sm27215f

The present paper deals with the preparation and characterization of an innovative vesicle-based gel composed of monoolein and lauroylcholine chloride. A number of vesicular formulations were prepared, in the range of 4-14 wt% of the dispersed phase, to investigate the system evolution from a dilute uni-lamellar vesicle dispersion to a vesicle lipid gel. Morphology, thermal stability up to 55 °C, and viscoelastic properties, along with the effect of acid diclofenac inclusion within the formulation, were evaluated by cryo-TEM, SAXS, and rheological measurements. Moreover, the nanostructure of the vesicle dispersion obtained upon gel dilution in water was assessed by cryo-TEM and SAXS, while DLS was used to monitor the formulation stability (size and ζ -potential). All the collected results lead to the conclusion that this new vesicle-based gel displays all the requirements needed for application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. Monoolein and lauroylcholine chloride may form an innovative vesicle gel that can be selected for application in the pharmaceutical field.