Salicylic acid 5% / Propylene glycol 47.5% in Clobetasol 0.05% cream

Psoriasis is a skin disease that is not lethal and does not spread through bodily contact. However, this seemingly harmless condition can lead to a loss of confidence and social stigmatization due to a persons' flawed appearance. The conventional methods of psoriasis treatment include taking in systemic drugs to inhibit immunoresponses within the body or applying topical drugs onto the surface of the skin to inhibit cell proliferation. Topical methods are favored as they pose lesser side effects compared to the systemic methods. However, the side effects from systemic drugs and low bioavailability of topical drugs are the limitations to the treatment. The use of nanotechnology in this field has enhanced drug loading capacity and reduced dosage size. In this review, biosurfactants were introduced as a 'greener' alternative to their synthetic counterparts. Glycolipid biosurfactants are specifically suited for anti-psoriatic application due to their characteristic skin-enhancing qualities. The selection of a suitable oil phase can also contribute to the anti-psoriatic effect as some oils have skin-healing properties. The review covers the pathogenic pathway of psoriasis, conventional treatments, and prospective ingredients to be used as components in the nanoemulsion formulation. Furthermore, an insight into the state-of-the-art methods used in formulating nanoemulsions and their progression to low-energy methods are also elaborated in detail.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Psoriasis is an uncontrolled, long-lasting inflammatory dermatosis distinguished by thickened, erythematous, and flaky skin lesions. Massive amounts of inflammatory cytokines are produced when immune system imbalances are driven by genetic and environmental triggers. Vinpocetine (VNP), a man-made analogue of the compound vincamine found in the dwarf periwinkle herb, has robust anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidative effects; alleviates the epidermal penetration of immune cells, such as eosinophils and neutrophils; and abolishes the generation of pro-inflammatory molecules.ObjectiveThis study was aimed at exploring the effects of long-term topical VNP, both alone and co-administered with clobetasol propionate, in an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasiform dermatitis.MethodsThe study protocol consisted of 48 Swiss albino mice, randomly divided into six groups of eight mice each. In group I, petroleum jelly was administered daily for 8 days. In group II, imiquimod was administered topically at 62.5 mg daily for 8 days. In groups III, VI, V, and VI, 0.05% clobetasol propionate, 1% VNP, 3% VNP, and 3% VNP plus 0.05% clobetasol were administered topically for an additional 8 days after the induction, thus resulting in a total trial length of 16 days.ResultsTopical VNP at various doses alleviated the severity of imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions-including erythema, silvery-white scaling, and thickening-and reversed the histopathological abnormalities. Moreover, imiquimod-exposed animals treated with VNP showed markedly diminished concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, including tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-37, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and transforming growth factor-β1.ConclusionThis research provides new evidence that VNP, alone and in combination with clobetasol, may serve as a potential adjuvant for long-term management of autoimmune and autoinflammatory skin diseases, particularly psoriasis, by attenuating psoriatic lesion severity, suppressing cytokine generation, and limiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that mostly affects young adults in areas rich in sebaceous glands (scalp, face, and trunk). In adolescents and adults, SD clinical presentation may range from mild patches to diffuse scalp scaling. In infants, it mainly occurs on the scalp as yellowish, scaly patches ("cradle cap"). In adults, several environmental triggers are likely to promote SD development, along with fungal colonization by Malassezia spp., sebaceous gland activity, as well as immunosuppression, endocrine, neurogenic and iatrogenic factors. In children, early occurrence in the first trimester suggests the role of excessive sebaceous gland activity from maternal hormones, along with cutaneous microbiome alterations. The diagnosis of SD is usually clinical, and specific laboratory and/or instrumental investigations are seldom required. Treatment is aimed at modulating sebum production, reducing skin colonization by Malassezia spp., and controlling inflammation. In adults, mild-to-moderate scalp SD forms can be managed with topical antifungals (ketoconazole, ciclopirox, miconazole) or antiinflammatory (mild-to-moderate potency corticosteroids) or keratolytic/humectant (propylene glycol) agents. Recommended topical therapeutic options for mild-to-moderate facial or body areas SD include topical ketoconazole, ciclopirox, clotrimazole, mild-to-moderate potency corticosteroids, lithium succinate/gluconate, and topical calcineurin inihibitors (off-label use). In severe and/or resistant cases, the use of systemic antifungal drugs (terbinafine, itraconazole), as well as UVB phototherapy, may be considered. In children, scant scientific evidence supports the effectiveness and safety of topical drugs, and "cradle cap" is usually successfully managed with baby shampoos enriched with emollient agents and vegetable oils. Alternatively, similarly to adult scalp SD, medical device shampoos with antiinflammatory and antifungal properties, containing piroctone olamine, bisabolol, alyglicera, telmesteine, may be used. Beyond pharmacological treatments, an appropriate cosmetic approach, if correctly prescribed, may improve therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects around 2-3% of the world's population. The treatment for this autoimmune disease still remains centered around conventional methods using synthetic substances, even though more recent advancements focus on biological therapies. Given the numerous side effects of such treatments, current research involves plant extracts and constituents that could prove useful in treating psoriasis. The aim of this narrative review is to highlight the most known representatives belonging to classes of natural compounds such as polyphenols (e.g., astilbin, curcumin, hesperidin, luteolin, proanthocyanidins, and resveratrol), alkaloids (e.g., berberine, capsaicin, and colchicine), coumarins (psoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen), and terpenoids (e.g., celastrol, centelloids, and ursolic acid), along with plants used in traditional medicine that could present therapeutic potential in psoriasis. The paper also provides an overview of these compounds' mechanisms of action and current inclusion in clinical studies, as well as an investigation into their potential incorporation in various nanotechnological systems, such as lipid-based nanocarriers or polymeric nanomaterials, that may optimize their efficacy during treatment.

Abstract licence: CC BY

AbstractThis study aimed to measure both the solubility and thermodynamics of salicylic acid in binary solvent mixtures of (2-propanol + ethylene glycol) and (2-propanol + propylene glycol) at different temperatures in the range of 293.2–313.2 K. The experimental solubility data were analyzed using various linear and nonlinear cosolvency models, such as the van’tt Hoff, Jouyban-Acree, Jouyban-Acree-van’tt Hoff, mixture response surface and modified Wilson models and to evaluate the models, the mean relative deviations of the back-calculated solubility data were compared with experimental values. Through this analysis, the apparent thermodynamic parameters, including Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were calculated using the van’tt Hoff and Gibbs equations for this system. Additionally, the density values for salicylic acid saturated mixtures were also measured and represent mathematically using the Jouyban-Acree model.

Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0