Preparation and Evaluation of Sunscreen Nanoemulsions with Synergistic Efficacy on SPF by Combination of Soybean Oil, Avobenzone, and Octyl Methoxycinnamate

BACKGROUND: Soybean oil contains vitamin E and acts as a natural sunscreen which can absorb Ultra Violet (UV) B light and has antioxidant properties to reduce the photooxidative damage that results from UV-induced Reactive Oxygen Species production. The UV blocking from most natural oils is insufficient to obtain a high UV protection. The strategies for preparations of sunscreen products with high SPF can be done by nanoemulsion formulation and Ultra Violet filter combinations of Soybean Oil, Avobenzone and Octyl methoxycinnamate. AIM: The purpose of this study was to prepare and in vitro efficacy evaluation of sunscreen nanoemulsion containing Soybean oil, Avobenzone and Octyl methoxycinnamate. METHODS: The sunscreen nanoemulsions were prepared by the high energy emulsification method. The formulation uses a combination of 3% Avobenzone, 7.5% Octyl methoxycinnamate, with different ratio of Soybean oil and Liquid Paraffin. The nanoemulsion was evaluated for droplet sizes by using particle size analyzer, physical stability in room temperature (25 ± 2°C during experiment for 12 weeks of storage, physical stability (cycling test), phase separation by centrifugation at 3750 rpm for 5 hours, pH, viscosity, and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value by UV spectrophotometric. The SPF value of sunscreen nanoemulsion was compared to sunscreen nanoemulsion without Soybean Oil and sunscreen emulsion. Particle morphology observation of nanoemulsion by using Transmission Electron Microscope. RESULTS: The sunscreen nanoemulsion formulation containing a combination of 3% Avobenzone, 7.5% Octyl methoxycinnamate with a ratio of 2.73% Soybean Oil and 0.27% Paraffin Oil resulted in the smallest average droplet size of 68.47 nm. The sunscreen nanoemulsion without Soybean Oil had an average droplet size of 384.07 nm. The globules size was increased during the experiment for 12 weeks of storage at room temperature, but there was no phase separation after centrifugation. The formulation of sunscreen emulsion, phase separation was formed after centrifugation. The nanoemulsion had a pH value of 7.23 ± 0.06 and a viscosity value of 133.33 ± 7.22 cP. The sunscreen nanoemulsion containing a combination of 3% Avobenzone, 7.5% Octyl methoxycinnamate 2.73%, Soybean Oil, 2.73% and 0.27% Liquid Paraffin had SPF value (21.57 ± 1.21) higher than sunscreen nanoemulsion without Soybean Oil (16.52 ± 0.98) and sunscreen emulsion (15.10 ± 0.22). The TEM analysis of globules morphology showed that the sunscreen nanoemulsion formed a spherical globule. CONCLUSION: The sunscreen nanoemulsion containing a combination of 3% Avobenzone, 7.5% Octyl Methoxycinnamate, 2.73% Soybean Oil and 0.27% Liquid Paraffin showed synergistic sunscreen efficacy on SPF. This sunscreen nanoemulsion is more stable than sunscreen emulsion formulation during the experiment for 12 weeks at room temperature.