Abstract
Background:
Repeated acute exposure to UVB rays can cause photoaging. Musa balbisiana peel contains flavonoid compounds which act as antioxidants. But, the physicochemical of flavonoids are unstable, high molecular weight and easily oxidized, causing its use is still limited and transdermal delivery to be inefficient.
Aim:
To investigate the ameliorative effect of transfersome gel of Musa balbisiana peel against photoaging in Wistar rat skin.
Methods:
Transfersome gel was characterized by TEM. In vivo research was used to determine ameliorative effects of Musa balbisiana peel. The composition of transfersome consist of ethanol extracts of Musa balbisiana peel, SPC, and tween 80. The gel was applied three times a week for four weeks with a total UVB radiation dose of 840 mJ/cm2. To evaluate the repair mechanism by measuring the degree of wrinkles, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning, collagen fiber irregularity, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and TGF-β expression, MDA and TNFα levels.
Results:
TEM results show that gel transfersome Musa balbisiana peel has a round morphology with a diameter of ± 50 nm and no aggregation, which are defined as nanoparticles. Transfersome gel ameliorated degree of wrinkle, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning and irregularity of collagen fibers caused by UVB exposure, suppresses lipid peroxidation by decreasing MDA and TNFα level, also collagen imbalance by inhibiting MMP-1 expression and activating TGF-β expression, which were found statistically significantly different from non transfersome gel group.
Conclusion:
Transfersome gel of Musa balbisiana peel can act as an alternative medicine to ameliorate clinical photoaging due to exposure UVB.

Key words: Medicine, Musa balbisiana peel, Photoaging, Transfersome gel, Ultraviolet B radiation