--- title: "Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability…" description: "L-ascorbic acid delivered via spanlastic vesicles is more stable, penetrates skin better, and offers superior protection against UV-induced skin damage…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html" type: "study" study_key: "d33620008" journal: "Drug Deliv" year: 2021 pmid: "33620008" doi: "10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB induced damaged skin [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d33620008 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Drug Deliv | | Year | 2021 | | PMID | [33620008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620008/) | | DOI | [10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377](https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377) | | Study key | d33620008 | ## Takeaway L-ascorbic acid delivered via spanlastic vesicles is more stable, penetrates skin better, and offers superior protection against UV-induced skin damage compared to a standard LAA solution. ## The question Can l-ascorbic acid (LAA) loaded spanlastics improve LAA stability, skin permeation, and antioxidant protection against UVB-induced skin damage? ## Hypothesis Entrapment of a high dose of vitamin C in spanlastic vesicles will provide maximum stability and efficacy for topical delivery, protecting skin from premature aging and UVB-induced damage. ## Methods LAA-loaded spanlastics were prepared using the ethanol injection method. They were characterized for entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, deformability index (DI), and skin permeation. The stability of the selected spanlastic formula was assessed over 6 months. The efficacy of LAA spanlastics in treating UVB-induced damaged skin was evaluated in rats by measuring MMP2 and MMP9 levels via quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, and through histopathological examination of rat skin. ## Results A selected spanlastics formula (span 60 and tween 60 in a 5:1 ratio) achieved an EE% of 89.77% and a deformability of 11.13. This formula demonstrated good physical and chemical stability for 6 months. LAA spanlastics showed improved drug penetration into the stratum corneum compared to a topical LAA solution. In rats exposed to UV irradiation, LAA spanlastics significantly suppressed MMP2 and MMP9 levels by 30.4% and 65.3% respectively, compared to the control group. Histopathological studies confirmed that LAA-loaded spanlastics provided the highest skin protection, maintaining normal epidermal morphology and densely arranged dermal collagen fibers. ## Conclusion LAA-loaded spanlastics successfully improved LAA stability, enhanced skin permeation, and offered significant antioxidant protection against skin photodamage caused by UVB irradiation. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > successfully improved stability, skin permeation and antioxidant protection against skin photodamage ## Suppression of MMP2 and MMP9 Levels by LAA Spanlastics | Measure | Suppression (%) | | --- | --- | | MMP2 Suppression | 30.4 | | MMP9 Suppression | 65.3 | *LAA spanlastics significantly suppressed MMP2 and MMP9 levels in UVB-irradiated rats compared to the control group.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic) Serum | Moderate evidence | [Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/179.md) | ## Reference 1. **Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB induced damaged skin** Drug Deliv 2021 · [PMID 33620008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620008/) · [DOI 10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377](https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377) > successfully improved stability, skin permeation and antioxidant protection against skin photodamage ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html","name":"Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB induced…","description":"L-ascorbic acid delivered via spanlastic vesicles is more stable, penetrates skin better, and offers superior protection against UV-induced skin damage…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33620008.html#study","name":"Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB induced damaged skin","headline":"Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB induced…","datePublished":"2021","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Drug Deliv"},"identifier":"PMID:33620008","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33620008/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10717544.2021.1886377","abstract":"L-ascorbic acid delivered via spanlastic vesicles is more stable, penetrates skin better, and offers superior protection against UV-induced skin damage compared to a standard LAA solution."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/179.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: collagen biosynthesis, photoprotection](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s179.md) - [A clinical evaluation of a topical antioxidant formulation featuring vitamin C,…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37608511.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).