Controllable Transdermal Drug Delivery of Theobroma cacao Extract Based Polymeric Hydrogel against Dermal Microbial and Oxidative Damage

Human dermal layers are directly bared to the external environmental adversities like pollution, radiation, dust along with various chemical and mechanical stress conditions which constantly lead to the oxidative stress, eventually forming free radicals. These conditions also support the dermal microbial infections by invading the cutaneous layers. Therefore, the most efficient approach accepted globally to combat these complications is to opt for transdermal application of exogenous antioxidants which helps in reducing the ill effects of oxidative stress and promotes the DNA repair. However, many scientific findings exhibited the potential role of Theobroma cacao for providing efficient skin protection. Theobroma cacao known for its vital procyanidin flavonoids, phenolic compounds, methylxanthines, catechin and epicatechin phytoconstituents with numerous health benefits, besides helping in smoothening and softening the damaged skin. These therapeutic benefits of cocoa phytocompounds are attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative characteristics. This study addresses the fabrication and optimizations of Theobroma cacao extract loaded carbopol hydrogel system for increased antioxidative and antimicrobial effects. It was found in the studies that the hydrogel-based T. cacao extract (TCHG) has significantly improved the therapeutic index of the extract, making it more suitable for transdermal application. The optimized hydrogel was further characterized by physicochemical parameters, SEM analysis and in-vitro release kinetics. The reported findings showed the sustained compound release with comparatively significant antimicrobial activity of TCHG against microbial (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus licheniformis, Micrococcus luteus, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma harzianum, Rhizopus oryzae) infections. Also, the higher ROS quenching ability of TCHG as compared to T. cacao extract promises to be an effective transdermal formulation.