FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF NOVASOMES LOADED NOVEL TOPICAL SUNSCREEN GEL FOR ENHANCED PHOTO PROTECTIVE EFFICACY

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major environmental factor responsible for sunburn, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, oxidative stress and skin cancer. Conventional sunscreen formulations may exhibit limitations such as inadequate skin retention, photodegradation and frequent reapplication. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a ZnO–TiO₂ loaded novasomal topical sunscreen gel to enhance photoprotective efficacy and prolong sunscreen activity. Novasomes containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide were prepared by the ethanol injection method using Span 60, Tween 80, cholesterol and oleic acid. Five formulations (F1–F5) were prepared with varying concentrations of the sunscreen agents and evaluated for entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release. The entrapment efficiency ranged from 62.75% to 78.19%, while cumulative drug release ranged from 20.01% to 73.24%. Formulation F4 was selected as the optimized formulation based on its entrapment efficiency and drug-release characteristics. F4 exhibited a percentage yield of 96.51% and drug content of 94.49%, with spherical and discrete vesicular morphology. The optimized novasomal dispersion was incorporated into a Carbopol-based gel, which demonstrated acceptable appearance, pH, viscosity, drug content and prolonged in-vitro diffusion. The developed ZnO–TiO₂ novasomal sunscreen gel showed promising potential for sustained topical photoprotection and improved sunscreen performance.