Comparative in vitro and in vivo evaluations of niosomal gel vs. conventional gel preparations for the treatment of psoriasis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.582Keywords:
Desonide Niosomal Gel, Psoriasis, Skin Permeation, In vivo assessmentAbstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease marked by excessive keratinocyte proliferation and immune dysregulation. While corticosteroids like Desonide are commonly used to alleviate symptoms, their limited skin permeability and potential systemic side effects restrict long-term use. This study aimed to develop and compare a novel niosomal gel formulation of Desonide (DG6) with a conventional Desonide gel (DG8), assessing their physicochemical properties, skin permeation, drug release behavior, and therapeutic efficacy in an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis. DES-loaded niosomes were prepared via the thin-film hydration technique and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and morphology. Niosomes were incorporated into a carbomer-based gel to create DG6. Comparative evaluations of DG6 and DG8 were conducted using rheology studies, in vitro release, ex vivo skin permeation, and in vivo efficacy assessments, including PASI scoring, stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), spleen index, and histopathological analyses. DG6 exhibited controlled and sustained drug release, higher skin deposition (192.3 ± 55.1 µg vs. 140.9 ± 51.7 µg for DG8), and significantly lower PASI scores in vivo (3.8 ± 1.0 vs. 6.4 ± 1.1). Histological evaluations showed notable restoration of normal skin architecture with DG6 treatment, with reduced epidermal hyperplasia, parakeratosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Rheological studies confirmed favorable spreadability and mechanical strength comparable to a marketed formulation. The niosomal gel formulation demonstrated superior skin localization, therapeutic efficacy, and barrier restoration over the conventional gel. These findings underscore the potential of niosomal systems in enhancing topical corticosteroid therapy for psoriasis.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Shyam, Dr. Anka Rao, Yukti, Dr. Veeresh
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