Recent advances in topical and transdermal drug delivery systems have enabled targeted delivery of therapeutics to the site of action by enhancing drug permeation across the stratum corneum and increased bioavailability. Despite various technological advancements, some dermatoses still have limited treatment options due to potential adverse effects and challenges in formulation development. To address some of the limitations posed by conventional dermatotherapy, nano-based technologies have been developed and have demonstrated a significant improvement in dermatotherapy. Their distinct physicochemical properties demonstrate their overall superior therapeutic efficacy in providing sustained and effective targeted drug release, as well as improved solubility of hydrophobic actives with optimized drug formulations. These nanocarriers are commonly classified as polymeric, lipid-based, metallic, and vesicular nanocarriers, including nanoemulsions, nanofibers, and microneedles. This mini-review aims to address recent advances in nano-based technologies, providing a brief insight on some of the current and prospective technologies and approaches aimed at improving transdermal delivery.
Apart from well-known respiratory symptoms, less frequent symptoms also appear as a direct result of COVID-19 infection, or as indirect effects of the recommended quarantine and related lifestyle changes. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human skin is predominantly focused on in this article. Cutaneous manifestations, including redness, chilblain-like symptoms (COVID toes), hives or urticaria rash, water blisters, and fishing net-like red-blue patterns on the skin, may appear as accompanying or as systemic COVID-19 symptoms with potential lesions at different skin sites. These symptoms were related to skin phototypes and vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic origin patients are found to be more sensitive to COVID-19 infection than Caucasians because of vitamin D deficiency. The region of population with lighter skin phototypes have a significantly higher chance to develop cutaneous manifestations than population with dark skin. In addition, adverse effects, such as skin barrier damage and irritation, may also occur due to extensive personal protective equipment usage (e.g., masks, protective suits, and a few others) and predominately alcohol-based sanitizers. This manuscript covers various aspects of COVID-19 and its clinical skin manifestations.
The widespread use of topical corticosteroids (TCs) in dermatotherapy requires a consideration of their potency and benefit/risk ratios. Although there are a variety of topical corticosteroid products (TCPs) available on the market and their potencies are ranked using different classification systems, to our knowledge, no classification system to rank the inherent potencies of TC active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) currently exists. Most of the published classification systems for TCPs are based on randomized clinical comparative studies and/or vasoconstrictor assay (VCA) data. The objective was to apply the US FDA’s VCA to classify the inherent potencies of several TCs using standardized doses to make appropriate comparisons of the relevant APIs in solutions of the same molar concentrations. Six TC APIs were assessed for their relative potencies using healthy human participants. The E max model was used to fit skin blanching data following application of the respective TCs, and the parameters, E max and ED 50 , were derived. E max values were used as the metric to assess potency. Statistical analyses of the data revealed that the inherent potencies of fluticasone propionate, mometasone furoate, and hydrocortisone butyrate were similar. However, there was no significant difference between hydrocortisone butyrate and clobetasol propionate, while there was a significant difference between clobetasol propionate, fluticasone propionate, and mometasone furoate. Hence, the potency of hydrocortisone butyrate appears to overlap two potency classes. Furthermore, the potencies of betamethasone valerate and methylprednisolone aceponate were similar but lower than those of all of the other APIs. The application of the VCA to classify inherent potency provides a reliable method to establish a classification system for TCs. Inherent potency assessment of TCs provides information that will be useful when choosing an appropriate TC for the development of a TCP for a specific clinical indication.
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