Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

General Review Article

Ferulic Acid Activity in Topical Formulations: Technological and Scientific Prospecting

Author(s): Gabriela R. Cavalcanti, Fernanda I.C. Duarte, Attilio Converti and Ádley A.N. de Lima*

Volume 27, Issue 19, 2021

Published on: 20 October, 2020

Page: [2289 - 2298] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201020163331

Price: $65

Abstract

Introduction: Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound widely distributed in monocotyledons, with several applications, especially in pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic industries. It has proven antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activities, among others, which are mainly ascribed to its molecular structure. The main factor that can lead to serious skin damages like inflammation, dryness, wrinkles, and cancer is the exposure to UV radiation that is responsible for an increased level of radical oxygen species.

Objective: This review aims to evaluate the application of ferulic acid in topical formulations and the technologies used to enhance its bioavailability and stability, as well as to get a clearer picture of its effects by in vivo and in vitro studies.

Methods: It covers technological publications in the WIPO, EPO, INPI, and USPTO databases and scientific publications in the PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Science Direct databases, exploring the trend and application of this compound by country and year of publication.

Results: Both the scientific and technological analyses showed the importance and tendency in the association of the Ferulic Acid and other vitamins and actives. The synergic effect certainly provides a better result, performance, and stability of the compounds, which cleared the great spectrum and applicability of the Ferulic Acid in topical formulations.

Conclusion: The present literature survey revealed that ferulic acid exerts an important activity in several formulations for topical application and improved the stability and bioavailability when combined with new technologies and methods, showing an open path to target the treatment of skin disorders.

Keywords: Ferulic acid, pharmaceutical, therapeutic activity, topical application, skin disorders, patents.

[1]
Woranuch S, Yoksan R. Preparation, characterization and antioxidant property of water-soluble ferulic acid grafted chitosan. Carbohydr Polym 2013; 96(2): 495-502.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.04.006] [PMID: 23768592]
[2]
Burke Karen E. Mechanisms of aging and development - A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants Mechanisms of aging and development 2018; 172: 123-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2017.12.003]
[3]
Maruf AA, Lip H, Wong H, O’Brien PJ. Protective effects of ferulic acid and related polyphenols against glyoxal- or methylglyoxal-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in isolated rat hepatocytes. Chem Biol Interact 2015; 234: 96-104.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2014.11.007] [PMID: 25446858]
[4]
Obrenovich ME, Li Y, Parvathaneni K, et al. Antioxidants in health, disease and aging. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2011; 10(2): 192-207.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152711794480375] [PMID: 21226664]
[5]
Ren N, Kaplan R, Hernandez M, et al. Phenolic acids suppress adipocyte lipolysis via activation of the nicotinic acid receptor GPR109A (HM74a/PUMA-G). J Lipid Res 2009; 50(5): 908-14. https://dx.doi.org/10.1194%2Fjlr.M800625-JLR200
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1194/jlr.M800625-JLR200] [PMID: 19136666]
[6]
Sova M. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cinnamic acid derivatives. Mini Rev Med Chem 2012; 12(8): 749-67.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955712801264792] [PMID: 22512578]
[7]
Kumar N, Pruthi V. Structural elucidation and molecular docking of ferulic acid from Parthenium hysterophorus possessing COX-2 inhibition activity 3 Biotech 2015; 5(4): 541-51.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13205-014-0253-6]
[8]
Zhang Li-Wen. A comparison of skin delivery of ferulic acid and its derivatives: evaluation of their efficacy and safety Int J Pharm 2010; 399.1-2: 44-51.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.07.054]
[9]
Felix de Oliveira W, Priscila Marcelino dos Santos Silva, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho and Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia. Plant Antioxidants and Mechanisms of Action. Lett Drug Des Discov 2018; 15: 1103.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570180815666180222142521]
[10]
Razzaghi-Asl N, Garrido J, Khazraei H, Borges F, Firuzi O. Antioxidant properties of hydroxycinnamic acids: a review of structure- activity relationships. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20(36): 4436-50.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/09298673113209990141] [PMID: 23834166]
[11]
Carrara IM, Melo GP, Bernardes SS, et al. Looking beyond the skin: Cutaneous and systemic oxidative stress in UVB-induced squamous cell carcinoma in hairless mice. J Photochem Photobiol B 2019; 195: 17-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.04.007] [PMID: 31035030]
[12]
Zduńska K, Dana A, Kolodziejczak A, Rotsztejn H. Antioxidant Properties of Ferulic Acid and Its Possible Application. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018; 13(6): 332-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000491755] [PMID: 30235459]
[13]
Dunaway S, Odin R, Zhou L, Ji L, Zhang Y, Kadekaro AL. Natural antioxidants: multiple mechanisms to protect skin from solar radiation. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9: 392.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00392] [PMID: 29740318]
[14]
Wang Q-J, Gao X, Gong H, Lin XR, Saint-Leger D, Senee J. Chemical stability and degradation mechanisms of ferulic acid (F.A) within various cosmetic formulations. J Cosmet Sci 2011; 62(5): 483-503.
[PMID: 22152493]
[15]
Varani J, Dame MK, Rittie L, et al. Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. Am J Pathol 2006; 168(6): 1861-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2353/ajpath.2006.051302] [PMID: 16723701]
[16]
Saeed M, Alagawany M, Falani SA, et al. Health promoting and pharmaceutical potential of ferulic acid for the poultry industry. Worlds Poult Sci J 2019; 75(1): 83-92.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0043933918000740]
[17]
Raab S, Oresajo C, Yatskayer M, Stephens T. Clinical evaluation of an antioxidant cream containing resveratrol, ferulic acid, and vitoptin on photodamaged skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011; 64: 2.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.09.109]
[18]
Fonacier LS, Dreskin SC, Leung DY. Allergic skin diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 125(2)(Suppl. 2): S138-49.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.05.039] [PMID: 19932921]
[19]
Buranov AU, Mazza G. Extraction and purification of ferulic acid from flax shives, wheat and corn bran by alkaline hydrolysis and pressurised solvents. Food Chem 2009; 115(4): 1542-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.01.059]
[20]
Kamal Uddin Zaidi, Sharique A. Ali, Ayesha Ali and Ishrat Naaz, “Natural Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Role of Herbals in the Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders. Mini Rev Med Chem 2019; 19: 796.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557519666190116101039]
[21]
Blazso G, Gabor M, Sibbel R, Rohewald P. Antiinflammatory and superoxide radical scavenging activities of procyanidins containing extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Sol. and its fractions. Pharm Pharmacol Lett 1994; 3: 217-20.
[22]
Alkadi H. A Review on Free Radicals and Antioxidants. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2020; 20(1): 16-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871526518666180628124323] [PMID: 29952268]
[23]
Ascenso A, Ribeiro HM, Marques HC, Simoes S. Topical delivery of antioxidants. Curr Drug Deliv 2011; 8(6): 640-60.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720111797635487] [PMID: 22313160]
[24]
M A Soobrattee , V S Neergheen, A Luximon-Ramma, O I Aruoma, T Bahorun. Phenolics as potential antioxidant therapeutic agents: mechanism and actions Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 2005; 579(1-2): 200-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2005.03.023]
[25]
Graf E. Antioxidant potential of ferulic acid. Free Radic Biol Med 1992; 13(4): 435-48.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0891-5849(92)90184-I] [PMID: 1398220]
[26]
Saija A, Tomaino A, Trombetta D, et al. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of caffeic and ferulic acids as topical photoprotective agents. Int J Pharm 2000; 199(1): 39-47.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5173(00)00358-6] [PMID: 10794925]
[27]
Lin F-H, Lin JY, Gupta RD, et al. Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin. J Invest Dermatol 2005; 125(4): 826-32.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23768.x] [PMID: 16185284]
[28]
Tournas Joshua A, Lin HF, Burch AH, et al. Ubiquinone, idebenone, and kinetin provide ineffective photoprotection to skin when compared to a topical antioxidant combination of vitamins C and E with ferulic acid J Investig Dermatol 2006; 126(5): 1185.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.jid.5700232]
[29]
Murray JC, Burch JA, Streilein RD, Iannacchione MA, Hall RP, Pinnell SR. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008; 59(3): 418-25.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2008.05.004] [PMID: 18603326]
[30]
Burns EM, Tober KL, Riggenbach JA, Kusewitt DF, Young GS, Oberyszyn TM. Differential effects of topical vitamin E and C E Ferulic® treatments on ultraviolet light B-induced cutaneous tumor development in Skh-1 mice. PLoS One 2013; 8(5): e63809.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063809] [PMID: 23691100]
[31]
Yan MD Wu, Zheng X, Xu XG, et al. Protective effects of a topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid against ultraviolet irradiation-induced photodamage in Chinese women J Drugs Dermatol 2013; 12(4): 464-8.
[32]
Waibel JS, Mi QS, Ozog D, et al. Laser-assisted delivery of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid formula serum decreases fractional laser postoperative recovery by increased beta fibroblast growth factor expression. Lasers Surg Med 2016; 48(3): 238-44.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22448] [PMID: 26612341]
[33]
Kim J, Kim J, Lee YI, et al. Effect of a topical antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after Q‐switched 1064‐nm Nd: YAG laser for treatment of environment‐induced skin pigmentation. J Cosmetic Dermatol 2020. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.13323
[34]
Oresajo C, Stephens T, Hino PD, et al. Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol 2008; 7(4): 290-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00408.x] [PMID: 19146606]
[35]
Cassano R, Trombino S, Muzzalupo R, Tavano L, Picci N. A novel dextran hydrogel linking trans-ferulic acid for the stabilization and transdermal delivery of vitamin E. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2009; 72(1): 232-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2008.10.003] [PMID: 18976708]
[36]
Trombino S, Cassano R, Bloise E, Muzzalupo R, Tavano L, Picci N. Synthesis and antioxidant activity evaluation of a novel cellulose hydrogel containing trans-ferulic acid. Carbohydr Polym 2009; 75(1): 184-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2008.05.018]
[37]
Ouimet MA, Faig JJ, Yu W, Uhrich KE. Ferulic acid-based polymers with glycol functionality as a versatile platform for topical applications. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16(9): 2911-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00824] [PMID: 26258440]
[38]
Daniela D'Almeida Peres, et al. Ferulic acid photoprotective properties in association with UV filters: multifunctional sunscreen with improved SPF and UVA-PF J Phytochem Photobiol: B 2018; 85: 46-9.
[39]
Chen M, Liu X, Fahr A. Skin delivery of ferulic acid from different vesicular systems. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2010; 6(5): 577-85.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/jbn.2010.1154] [PMID: 21329050]
[40]
Harwansh RK, Mukherjee PK, Bahadur S, Biswas R. Enhanced permeability of ferulic acid loaded nanoemulsion based gel through skin against UVA mediated oxidative stress. Life Sci 2015; 141: 202-11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2015.10.001] [PMID: 26437269]
[41]
Bairagi U, Mittal P, Singh J, Mishra B. Preparation, characterization, and in vivo evaluation of nano formulations of ferulic acid in diabetic wound healing. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2018; 44(11): 1783-96.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03639045.2018.1496448] [PMID: 29973105]
[42]
Aitipamula S, Das S. Cocrystal formulations: A case study of topical formulations consisting of ferulic acid cocrystals. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 149: 95-104.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.01.021] [PMID: 32035236]
[43]
Shakeel F, Salem-Bekhit MM, Haq N, Siddiqui NA. Solubility and thermodynamics of ferulic acid in different neat solvents: measurement, correlation and molecular interactions. J Mol Liq 2017; 236: 144-50.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2017.04.014]
[44]
Tada Y, Tayama K, Aoki N. Acute oral toxicity of ferulic acid, natural food additive, in rats. Annual Report of The Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health 1999; 50: 311-3.
[45]
Volf I, Neamtu M, Popa VI, et al. Thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and photo-oxidation of natural polyphenols. Chem Pap 2014; 68(1): 121-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11696-013-0417-6]
[46]
Kurutas Ergul Belge. The importance of antioxidants which play the role in cellular response against oxidative/nitrosative stress: current state Nutrition J 2015; 15(1): 71.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12937-016-0186-5]
[47]
Zhang X, Lin D, Jiang R, Li H, Wan J, Li H. Ferulic acid exerts antitumor activity and inhibits metastasis in breast cancer cells by regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Oncol Rep 2016; 36(1): 271-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3892/or.2016.4804] [PMID: 27177074]
[48]
Pan Z, Jean-Thierry S, Ashleigh M, Iannacone S. Cosmetic compositions containing at least one flavonoid and ferulic acid. United States patent US 2014107046 A1., 2014. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DUS2014107046A1
[49]
Hwan CJ, Eun HS, Jae KY. Cosmetic composition for preventing skin aging by heating KR 20180073305, 2018. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DKR20180073305A
[50]
Hyun JM, Gyoo PS, Na JS. Composition for improving skin wrinkle. KR 20110101727, 2011. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DKR20110101727A
[51]
Pereira de Azevedo E, Meyer PF, Correia de Oliveira GM. Associação entre radiofrequência e uso tópico de ácido ferúlico ou ácido hialurônico e sua utilização para o tratamento do cutâneo como anti-aging, Brazil BR 102017016356-3, 2017. Available from: https://gru.inpi.gov.br/pePI/servlet/PatenteServletController?Action=detail&CodPedido=1425705&SearchParameter=ACIDO%20FERULICO%20%20%20%20%20%20&Resumo=&Titulo=
[52]
Jin M, Park S, Lee C, Kang T. Composition for anti-inflamation, Korea KR 20110068258, 2011. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DKR20110068258A
[53]
Narasimhan A, Chinnaiyan M, Karundevi B. Ferulic acid exerts its antidiabetic effect by modulating insulin-signalling molecules in the liver of high-fat diet and fructose-induced type-2 diabetic adult male rat. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2015; 40(8): 769-81.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0002] [PMID: 26201855]
[54]
Yves B, Jacques L. Use of ferulic acid, its salts and/or derivatives as lipolytic agent to prepare a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition to prevent and/or treat the adipose overloads and/or cellulitis, by systemic and/or local administration, France FR 2907338, 2008. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DFR2907338A1
[55]
Li L, Dong Y, Jun Z, Liu Y, Hong M. Ferulic acid and phospholipid complex and application thereof to preparation of skin-whitening cosmetics, China CN 105581919, 2016. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DCN105581919A
[56]
Sanmiguel GS, Juan MSN, Zamora JM. Systems and methods for skin rejuvenation, United States US 2013345307, 2013. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DUS2013345307A1
[57]
Suzhou CYE. Skin whitening facial mask, China CN 103637924, 2014. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DCN103637924A
[58]
Barbosa JM, Masiero S, Covesi LK, Ana OTC, Pavani M. Composição cosmética e uso da mesma. Brasil BR 102015003242-0, 2016. Available from: https://gru.inpi.gov.br/pePI/servlet/PatenteServletController?Action=detail&CodPedido=1021370&SearchParameter=ACIDO%20FERULICO%20%20%20%20%20%20&Resumo=&Titulo=
[59]
Jing W, Sun B, Cao Y, Wang C. Ferulaic acid cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivate inclusion compound and preparation method, China CN 101485447, 2016. Available from: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DCN101485447A
[60]
Neves de Lima ÁA, Ana PBG, Ostrosky EA, Fernanda ÍCD. Desenvolvimento de sistemas multicomponentes com ácido ferúlico, Brasil BR 102016022392-0, 2018. Available from: https://gru.inpi.gov.br/pePI/servlet/PatenteServletController?Action=detail&CodPedido=1395285&SearchParameter=ACIDO%20FERULICO%20%20%20%20%20%20&Resumo=&Titulo=
[61]
Briganti S, Picardo M. Antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation and skin diseases. What’s new. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2003; 17(6): 663-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1468-3083.2003.00751.x] [PMID: 14761133]
[62]
Lafay Sophie, Gil-Izquierdo Angel. Bioavailability of phenolic acids Phytochemistry Reviews 2008; 7(2): 301.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11101-007-9077-x]
[63]
Sohn YT, Oh JH. Characterization of physicochemical properties of ferulic acid. Arch Pharm Res 2003; 26(12): 1002-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02994749] [PMID: 14723331]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy