A new perspective for psoriasis: Dithranol nanosponge loaded hydrogels

Abstract

We developed dithranol nanosponge integrated Carbopol hydrogel (DTHNS-HG) as a novel perspective for psoriasis management. Dithranol was chosen as antipsoriatic moiety for this system. In this study, our objective was to fabricate and evaluate DTHNS-HG for in vivo anti-psoriatic activity using mouse tail model. Nanosponges (NSs) were synthesized using diphenyl carbonate and β-cyclodextrin employing melt method and appropriately characterized. The selected nanosponges were then embedded into Carbopol hydrogels and assessed for viscosity, spreadability and texture analysis. The developed formulations were further evaluated in vivo for antipsoriatic potential (% drug activity,% orthokeratosis and relative changes in epidermal thickness). Additionally, oxidative stress markers were also checked in mouse tail samples. DTH loaded cyclodextrin nanosponges were successfully fabricated and displayed acceptable mean particle size (274.6 ± 43.54 nm with 0.545 PDI) and zeta potential (-28.3 ± 6.34 mV). Further, DTHNS amalgamated hydrogel showed satisfactory results in terms of spreadability, viscosity and texture profiles. The degree of orthokeratosis was significantly (p < 0.05) increased with DTHNS-HG (0.5 and 1.0% w/v) and marketed ointment, as compared to the untreated group (control). Similarly, the drug activity and changes in epidermal thickness were found significant. Our findings from present investigations suggested a new cargo for delivery of DTH in topical medicinal strategies for psoriasis. Hence, this novel hydrogel showed promising outcomes for psoriasis.

Keywords

• Rheology
• Dermal delivery
• Orthokeratosis
• Mouse tail model
• Oxidative stress