Formulation and Evaluation of Caffeine-Loaded Cubosomes Hydrogel for Topical Delivery

The goal of the current study was to create and assess a cubosomal hydrogel loaded with caffeine for long-term topical administration. Due to its hydrophilic nature, caffeine, which is widely utilized for its antioxidant, lipolytic, and skin-stimulating qualities, has limited skin permeability in traditional formulations. Glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and Poloxamer 407 were used in the top-down procedure to create cubosomes in order to get over this restriction. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, and compatibility tests were assessed for the produced formulations. With a particle size of 280.4 nm, a PDI of 0.3461, and a zeta potential of −23.64 mV, F3 demonstrated the best qualities among the produced formulations, indicating satisfactory stability. F3's entrapment efficiency was determined to be 88.915 ± 0.148%. After being integrated into a Carbopol 934 hydrogel, the improved cubosomal dispersion was assessed for physicochemical characteristics. The gel had an appropriate pH of 6.72 ± 0.48, a viscosity of 13285 ± 6.12 cps, good spreadability, a consistent drug content of 95.382 ± 0.864%, and no grittiness. Caffeine was shown to be released continuously for up to 24 hours (82.756%), in-vitro drug release tests using Franz diffusion cells, which followed Higuchi diffusion kinetics. Formulation parameters did not significantly change throughout 90-day stability testing. Overall, the findings point to cubosomal hydrogel filled with caffeine as a potential method for improved and long-lasting topical medication administration. Keywords: Caffeine; Cubosomes; Topical drug delivery; Carbopol hydrogel; Sustained release