Study on transdermal release from functionlized cotton fabrics with caffeine-polycaprolactone nanocapsules

The aim of this research is to study the transdermal release of caffeine by using poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanocapsules. PCL nanocapsules containing caffeine were produced by using a solvent-displacement technique and a micromixer, and consequently, applied on to a knitted cotton fabric. The PCL nanocapsules formulations were prepared at different concentrations of caffeine and polymer, different polymer – to – caffeine ratios and different solvent to antisolvent flow rates. The suspensions containing nanoparticles with caffeine were dispersed onto the knitted cotton fabrics and, subsequently, the fabrics were tested for transdermal delivery. For the study of transdermal release, experiments were conducted using vertical Franz diffusion cells with cellulose based filter membranes. The amount of caffeine released after each experiment was analysed using a UV spectrophotometer. The results were discussed by taking into consideration various aspects: the amount of the caffeine – PCL nanocapsules applied on the fabrics’ surface, different formulations of the caffeine – PCL nanocapsules, time of exposure and different cellulose based filter membranes for the vertical Franz diffusion cells.