Sustained Release of Betamethasone from Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded Polymeric Hydrogels with Natural Emollient: One Step Closer to Effective Topical Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with limited effective treatments.
• Current therapies for AD are often multi-targeted, ineffective, and cause adverse effects, leading to poor patient quality of life.
• There is a need for improved localized therapies with better outcomes and acceptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel hydrogel formulations for atopic dermatitis (AD) management.
• To utilize lipid nanoparticles loaded with betamethasone dipropionate (BMS) incorporated into natural emollient-based hydrogels.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these nanocarrier-in-hydrogel formulations for enhanced drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Developed BMS-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BMS-SLNs) optimized for size and drug load.
• Incorporated BMS-SLNs into three distinct hydrogel formulations using chitosan, alginate, and carbomer, with coconut oil as the emollient.
• Assessed physicochemical properties (viscosity, stability, texture, rheology, pH) and ex vivo BMS permeation in human skin.
• Conducted in vitro cytotoxicity assays to confirm formulation safety.

Main Results:

• All hydrogel formulations demonstrated prolonged BMS release for up to 24 hours.
• Physicochemical evaluations confirmed suitable properties for topical application.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated that all formulations were safe.
• Ex vivo skin permeation studies showed potential for enhanced drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• The novel nanocarrier-in-hydrogel formulations show potential for effective atopic dermatitis (AD) management.
• These formulations offer a promising therapeutic strategy by combining localized delivery, natural emollients, and optimized nanocarriers.
• The developed hydrogels represent an advancement in topical treatments for inflammatory skin diseases like AD.