Topical Delivery of Methoxsalen Co-loaded Curcumin Using Hybrid Nanocarrier-Based Polymeric Hydrogel for Synergistic Therapy in the Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Purpose

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory cutaneous disorder, and single-drug therapy is inadequate for curing this disease. Dual-drug therapy with multi-target synergistic effects may be an alternative approach to eradicate psoriasis. This study reports the development of a lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle (LPHNP)-based polymeric hydrogel for topical delivery of methoxsalen (MS) and curcumin (CUR) for the management of psoriasis.

Methods

MS-CUR-LPHNPs were prepared using the emulsification solvent evaporation method and incorporated into a Carbopol-940-based polymeric hydrogel for topical application. The antipsoriatic efficacy of the hydrogel was evaluated in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis rat model.

Results

Methoxsalen-co-loaded curcumin lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (MS-CUR-LPHNPs, 206.8 ± 3.2 nm) were successfully prepared with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI = 0.174), negative zeta potential (− 27.1 ± 6.09 mV), and entrapment efficiency of 84.90 ± 0.68%. The polymeric hydrogel showed all the desirable characteristics essential for topical application. The MS-CUR-LPHNP-based polymeric hydrogel achieved superior anti-psoriatic effects in the IMQ-induced psoriasis rat model because of the high dermal retention of dual drugs for an extended period compared to a standard marketed anti-psoriatic formulation.

Conclusion

Therefore, we concluded that the developed MS-CUR-LPHNPs (D6-HNPs) were novel, providing synergistic therapeutic efficacy and promising prospects for the management of psoriasis.