Xiaoying Qiu

Ms. Xiaoying Qiu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
22 October 2026 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
XHXiaoyi Huang
Xiaoyi Huang
YLYafeng Liu
Yafeng Liu
XQXiaoying Qiu
Xiaoying Qiu
RLRan Lv
Ran Lv
JZJingwen Zhang
Jingwen Zhang
JCJiazhi Chen
Jiazhi Chen
Background/Objectives: Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a potent antioxidant polyphenol, scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ameliorates oxidative stress-induced dermal extracellular matrix deterioration. However, its high hydrophilicity causes poor stratum corneum partitioning, insufficient dermal retention and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop a surfactant-optimized, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (PP-4)-functionalized ethosomal system to enhance dermal retention and skin-protective efficacy of CGA. Methods: Binary nonionic surfactants were employed to optimize ethosome performance, followed by noncovalent PP-4 bilayer functionalization. Vesicle physicochemical properties and molecular interactions were characterized. Ex vivo skin permeation, cellular uptake, cytoprotection, intracellular ROS scavenging, and extracellular matrix-related gene expression were evaluated. Results: Surfactant-optimized ethosomes (CGA-ES, ~146 nm, −2.0 mV) exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency (92 ± 2%) and superior transdermal permeation versus surfactant-free vesicles. Subsequent PP-4 insertion reduced particle size to ~137 nm, reversed charge to +6.7 mV, and retained favorable encapsulation (83 ± 2%), forming mixed unilamellar–multilamellar structures. FTIR revealed the formation of hydrogen-bonded networks at phospholipid interfaces, underpinning superior colloidal uniformity and stability. The modified vesicles achieved enhanced total skin deposition and 1.2-fold higher dermis targeting efficiency compared with CGA-ES, along with improved cellular internalization, superior cytoprotection, and 2.4-fold stronger ROS scavenging under oxidative stress. The system effectively suppressed oxidative stress-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 (MMP-1/MMP-3) and restored type I collagen expression. Blank PP-4-modified ethosomes verified intrinsic peptide bioactivity, demonstrating complementary protection between CGA and PP-4. Conclusions: Binary-surfactant optimization enhances ethosomal colloidal performance and skin permeation. PP-4-mediated bilayer remodeling further promotes intradermal deposition. This dual-functional nanoplatform achieves combined skin-protective effects of CGA and surface-bound PP-4, providing a formulation basis for further in vivo evaluation and a potential strategy for topical delivery of hydrophilic polyphenols.