Skin histological evaluation of topically applied medium chain triacylglycerols cream incorporating a-tocopherol / Muizzuddin Hadi

Medium chain triacyglycerols (MCTs) have previously been used as earners and enhancers as they work effectively in delivering the active into the skin. ln this study, the permeation levels of MCTs, namely the virgin coconut oil (VCO) and structured virgin coconut oil (SVCO) were investigated based on the rat skin histology. The VCO was extracted by centrifugation method while SVCO was produced by acidolysis reaction using lipase as catalyst. The amount of 5% (w/w) a-tocopherol was used as the model antioxidant. The skin permeation procedure was carried out using the Franz diffusion cells. The MCTs creams were applied on the rat skin membrane for 6 hours at 37±2°C under stirring rate at 400 rpm. Then the skin was subjected to the staining procedure using Harris Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) stain kit and Oil Red O (ORO) stain kit for histological study. The result showed that accumulation of SVCO with significant amount in the deeper layer of dermis region suggested the better permeation ability as compared to the VCO. The SVCO that having shorter carbon chain lengths of triacylglycerols (TAGs) than the VCO appeared to influence its ability as the skin permeation enhancer of a-tocopherol. Both SVCO and VCO creams incorporating a­ tocopherol showed higher amount of red spots distribution (skin stained with ORO) than the blank creams.