Preparation, in vitro release and skin absorption of hydrocortisone acetate from a liposome gel

Beclomethasone loaded liposomes enriched with mucin: A suitable approach for the control of skin disorders

Inflammatory skin disorders are the fourth leading cause of chronic non-fatal conditions, which have a serious impact on the patient quality of life. Due to their treatment with conventional corticosteroids, which often result in poor therapeutic efficacy, relapses and systemic side effects from prolonged therapy, these diseases represent a global burden that negatively impacts the global economy. To avoid these problems and optimize corticosteroid benefits, beclomethasone was loaded into liposome formulations specifically tailored for skin delivery. These formulations were enhanced with mucin (0.1 and 0.5 % w/v) to further ensure prolonged formulation permanence at the site of application. The addition of 0.5 % w/v mucin resulted in the formation of small unilamellar vesicles and multicompartment vesicles. Liposomes and 1mucin-liposomes were smaller (∼48 and ∼61 nm, respectively) and more monodispersed (PI ∼ 0.14 and ∼ 0.17, respectively) than 5mucin-liposomes, which were larger (∼137 nm), slightly polydispersed (PI ∼ 0.23), and less stable during storage (4 months in the dark at 25 °C). Liposomes were negatively charged (∼ -79 mV) irrespective of their composition, and capable of incorporating high amount of beclomethasone (∼ 80 %). In vitro studies on skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes confirmed the high biocompatibility of all formulations (viability ≥ 95 %). However, the use of mucin-liposomes resulted in higher efficacy against nitric oxide production and free radical damage. Finally, topical applications using 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-injured skin in vivo experiments showed that only the mucin-enriched formulations could restore healthy conditions within 4 days, underscoring promise as a treatment for skin disorders.

Nano intervention in topical delivery of corticosteroid for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis-a systematic review

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are highly prevalent, complex, chronic inflammatory skin diseases that immensly affect the patient's quality of life. While there is no definitive cure for these conditions, suppressive medications aim at managing the symptoms of these diseases. The application of emollients accompanied by symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy consisting of topical corticosteroids (TCS) is extensively employed for controlling the symptoms among general practitioners making this therapeutic class an indispensable pillar of dermatotherapeutics. The first TCS, hydrocortisone (HC) introduced in the early 1950s led to the development of different steroidal moieties of varying potencies by inducing chemical modifications to the basic steroid structure. The wide spectrum of the available range of formulations and potency provides flexibility to treat all patient groups, different phases of the diseases, and different anatomical sites. Conventional TCS therapy suffers from drawbacks such as low drug permeation and retention rate. Thus, novel nanoformulations have been developed to overcome these problems. This review provides an insight into the current state of nanocarrier-mediated topical delivery of corticosteroids monotherapy and combination therapy with special emphasis on targeting psoriasis and AD.

Complex hydrogel systems composed of polymers, liposomes, and cyclodextrins: implications of composition on rheological properties and aging

Rheological properties of complex hydrogels containing different amounts of liposomes and/or cyclodextrin (CD) were evaluated. Sonicated unilamellar vesicles (SUV) were loaded in a hydrogel composed of Carbopol 974 NF and hydroxyethylcellulose (Natrosol 250 HX). Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and hydrogenated-PC (HPC) liposomes, both mixed with cholesterol in a 2:1 lipid/chol mol ratio, were used. In some cases, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin was also added (100 or 400 mg/mL). Gels were incubated at 40 degrees C/75% humidity for 7 days or 1 month to evaluate the effect of aging on their rheological properties. FTIR and DSC studies were performed to investigate possible interactions between the polymers and CD molecules at different CD concentrations. Static and dynamic rheological measurements were carried out. All gels had shear-thinning behavior (fitted well by the Cross model) with the exception of gels containing high concentrations of CD that were transformed into nonflowing elastic sticky solids, especially after aging. The more pronounced elastic behavior of gels containing 400 mg/mL CD is reflected by the higher values of relaxation strengths over all relaxation times. Complete interaction between polymers and CD, in the high-CD-content gels, as proven by FTIR and DSC studies, explains the dominating contribution of CD on gel characteristics. The addition of liposomes to such CD-containing gels has a substantial effect on their rheological properties, which are dependent on the liposome type (HPC/chol liposomes > PC/chol) and the lipid/CD ratio. This is explained by the "neutralization" of some CD molecules that prefer to interact with chol molecules that they extract from the lipid membranes. Gels with a high CD concentration (400 mg/mL) are almost insensitive to aging, whereas all other gels become slightly more elastic and less viscous as aging proceeds.