Development of Propyl Paraben-Loaded Microsponge for Enhanced Preservation in Skin Creams
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.7594Keywords:
Microsponge, Propylparaben, cold cream, antimicrobial preservatives effectiveness testing, zone of inhibitionAbstract
This study emphasizes developing a microsponge-based delivery system for propylparaben, a broadly used preservative in skin creams. The microsponge technology was employed to control the release of propylparaben, thereby reducing the risk of skin irritation and other adverse effects. The optimized microsponge formulation was incorporated into a cold cream and evaluated for its physical properties, in vitro release profile, and preservative efficacy. The results reveal that the microsponge-loaded propyl paraben provided sustained release and improved preservative activity, ultimately extending the shelf life of the cold cream. This innovative formulation offers a promising approach to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of skin creams. Particle size analysis showed that as the amount of polymer in the formulation increased, the particle size range of the batches also grew. Differential Scanning Calorimetry studies of the pure drug, ethyl cellulose, and propyl paraben-loaded microsponges revealed no interactions between the drug and the excipients. Similarly, Infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the absence of any interactions. Antimicrobial preservative testing conducted in a microbiology lab revealed the diameter of the zone of inhibition for the prepared microsponges, cold cream with the microsponges, and plain cream, demonstrating the antimicrobial potential of the microsponge-based formulation.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Aloorkar NH, Kulkarni AS, Ingale DJ, Patil RA. Microsponges as innovative drug delivery systems. Int J Pharm Sci Nanotechnol. 2012 Apr;5(1):1597-606.
Amrutiya N, Bajaj A, Madan M. Development of microsponges for topical delivery of mupirocin. Aaps Pharmscitech. 2009 Jun;10:402-9.
Amrutiya N, Bajaj A, Madan M. Development of microsponges for topical delivery of mupirocin. Aaps Pharmscitech. 2009 Jun;10:402-9.
Ioannidi A, Frontistis Z, Mantzavinos D. Destruction of propyl paraben by persulfate activated with UV-A light emitting diodes. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2018 Apr 1;6(2):2992-7.
Jadhav N, Patel V, Mungekar S, Bhamare G, Karpe M, Kadams V. Microsponge delivery system: an updated review, current status and future prospects. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research. 2013 Sep 21;2(6):1097-110.
Jelvehgari M, Siahi-Shadbad MR, Azarmi S, Martin GP, Nokhodchi A. The microsponge delivery system of benzoyl peroxide: Preparation, characterization and release studies. International journal of pharmaceutics. 2006 Feb 3;308(1-2):124-32.
Kaity S, Maiti S, Ghosh AK, Pal D, Ghosh A, Banerjee S. Microsponges: A novel strategy for drug delivery system. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research. 2010 Jul 1;1(3):283-90.
Kaity S, Maiti S, Ghosh AK, Pal D, Ghosh A, Banerjee S. Microsponges: A novel strategy for drug delivery system. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research. 2010 Jul 1;1(3):283-90.
Kaity S, Maiti S, Ghosh AK, Pal D, Ghosh A, Banerjee S. Microsponges: A novel strategy for drug delivery system. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research. 2010 Jul 1;1(3):283-90.
Kumar D, Gupta, V, Tanwar, R. et al. From skin to bone: sun avoidance and osteoarthritis risk. Rheumatol Int 45, 146 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-025-05904-5
Kumar S, Tyagi LK, Singh D. Microsponge delivery system (MDS): A unique technology for delivery of active ingredients. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2011 Dec 1;2(12):3069-80.
Kumari P, Khatkar A, Rani P, Khatkar S, & Nandal, R. Optimizing the Microwave-Assisted Extraction Method to Enhance Extraction Yield and Total Phenolic Content from Moringa Leaves (Moringa oleifera Lam.). Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, 2025, 54(3), 1941-1959.
Li SS, Li GF, Liu L, Jiang X, Zhang B, Liu ZG, Li XL, Weng LD, Zuo T, Liu Q. Evaluation of paeonol skin-target delivery from its microsponge formulation: in vitro skin permeation and in vivo microdialysis. PloS one. 2013 Nov 20;8(11):e79881.
Madasamy SU, Sundan SU, Krishnasamy LI. Preparation of cold cream against clinical pathogen using Caralluma adscendens var. attenuata. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2020;13(9):120-3.
Maskare RG, Thakre SD, Jaiswal AS, Chawade DS, Vishwakarma SS, Bahekar TN. Formulation of microsponge of thyme for acne treatment. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2023;16(8):3767-72.
Mohiuddin AK. Skin care creams: formulation and use. Dermatol Clin Res. 2019;5(1):238-71.
Moin A, Deb TK, Osmani RA, Bhosale RR, Hani U. Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of microsponge delivery system for facilitated fungal therapy. Journal of basic and clinical pharmacy. 2016 Mar;7(2):39.
Nandal R, Tahlan S, Deep A. Novel Approaches of Self Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems and Recent Patents: A Comprehensive Review. Applied Drug Research, Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs: Formerly Applied Clinical Research, Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs. 2022 Apr 1;9(1):42-57.
Pollock T, Weaver RE, Ghasemi R, deCatanzaro D. Butyl paraben and propyl paraben modulate bisphenol A and estradiol concentrations in female and male mice. Toxicology and applied pharmacology. 2017 Jun 15;325:18-24.
Rani P, Pahwa R, Verma V, Bhatia M. Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of ketoconazole-loaded pineapple cellulose green nanofiber gel. International journal of biological macromolecules. 2024 Mar 1;262:130221.
Rani, Pooja, Vikas Verma, Sunil Kumar, and Meenakshi Bhatia. "Isolation, characterization and evaluation of pineapple crown waste nanofiber gel entrapping ampicillin in topical bacterial infections." Iranian Polymer Journal 33, no. 5 (2024): 687-698.
Sahu T, Patel T, Sahu S, Gidwani B. Skin cream as topical drug delivery system: a review. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences. 2016 Sep 1;4(5):149.
Shin MY, Shin C, Choi JW, Lee J, Lee S, Kim S. Pharmacokinetic profile of propyl paraben in humans after oral administration. Environment international. 2019 Sep 1;130:104917.
Singhvi G, Manchanda P, Hans N, Dubey SK, Gupta G. Microsponge: an emerging drug delivery strategy. Drug development research. 2019 Mar;80(2):200-8.
Soni MG, Burdock GA, Taylor SL, Greenberg NA. Safety assessment of propyl paraben: a review of the published literature. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2001 Jun 1;39(6):513-32.
Sundar M, Suresh S, Lingakumar K. Preparation and optimization of medicated cold cream using Caralluma adscendens var. attenuata for the treatment of Candida skin infection. BioTechnologia. 2022 Sep 29;103(3):249-60.
Tiwari A, Tiwari V, Palaria B, Kumar M, Kaushik D. Microsponges: a breakthrough tool in pharmaceutical research. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2022 Jun 11;8(1):31.
V Kadam V, I Patel V, S Karpe M, J Kadam V. Design, development and evaluation of celecoxib-loaded microsponge-based topical gel formulation. Applied Clinical Research, Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs. 2016 Apr 1;3(1):44-55.
Vandecasteele HA, Gautier F, Tourneix F, van Vliet E, Bury D, Alépée N. Next generation risk assessment for skin sensitisation: A case study with propyl paraben. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2021 Jul 1;123:104936.
Verma, Mitali, Aakash Deep, Rimmy Nandal, Pooja Shinmar, and Dhirender Kaushik. "Novel drug delivery system for cancer management: A review." Current Cancer Therapy Reviews 12, no. 4 (2016): 253-272.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
