Topical formulations: development of semi-finished products and evaluation of their impact on the quality of the final product

This work alms to deep dive into topical formulations and how semi-finished products can influence the quality of the final product. Spray-drying was employed to produce dermatological powders starting from emulgels. The Cannabis sativa L. is a source of several compounds that can be employed for topical application, and bioactive molecules, like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannablgerol (CBG), and phytoextracts were selected for the formulation studies. In vitro permeation studies were conducted as a screening tool to select the compound, between CBD and CBG, with higher affinity for a skin bio-mimetic membrane, also in the presence of a randomly methylated p-cyclodextrin. The antioxidant proprieties of the compounds were also evaluated and according to the permeation study, CBG was selected for the formulation studies. Dermatological powders were developed via spray-drying of emulgels CBG containing. The powders can be easily reconstituted with purified water, leading to a product with chemical-physical and technological characteristics that are comparable to those of the starting emulgels. Phytoextracts of the Cannabis sativa L. provided by a local company, containing several other compounds like terpenoids, flavonoids, which can work in concert and exert beneficial proprieties for the skin, were characterized and the most suitable one in terms of skin retention was selected through permeation experiments. In vitro efficacy tests of a selected extract were conducted; the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase proprieties were tested. The extract was formulated for the preparation of dosage forms for topical administration with local effects and cosmetic products. Extemporaneous emulgels via re-dispersible powders were obtained; this product can represent a metered-dosage form for the localized treatment of cutaneous affections and represent an important resource for the preparation of personalized medicines.