Dissolvable hyaluronic acid microneedles loaded with β-Elemene for the treatment of psoriasis

Abstract

The pathology of psoriasis involves the over-proliferation of keratinocytes, exaggerated inflammation of keratinocytes, and infiltration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages (Mø), etc. The therapeutic outcomes of current treatment targeting one single pathological process are less than satisfactory. Based on their diverse biological activities, natural products offer a potential solution to this problem. In this study, we investigated the effects of β-Elemene (ELE) on both psoriatic keratinocytes and M1-type Mø (M1-Mø) in vitro. Hyaluronic acid (HA) microneedles loaded with ELE (HA-ELE-MN) were also fabricated and tested for the treatment of psoriasis in vivo using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mice model. Our data suggest that ELE induces apoptosis and inhibits inflammation of psoriatic keratinocytes. In addition, ELE attenuates the expression of inflammatory cytokines secreted from M1-Mø, thus indirectly inhibiting the inflammation of keratinocytes. Furthermore, HA-ELE-MN has been found to significantly alleviate symptoms in an IMQ-induced psoriatic mice model by inducing keratinocytes apoptosis, suppressing keratinocytes proliferation, and inhibiting M1-Mø infiltration. Taken together, this study demonstrates that ELE can be used for the treatment of psoriasis by targeting both keratinocytes and M1-Mø, which provides a potential novel reagent for psoriasis treatment.

Microfluidic Fabrication of Monodisperse Hyaluronic Acid Microspheres with Excellent Biocompatibility and Tunable Physicochemical Properties

“…To enhance the mechanical properties and prolong the in vivo residence time of HA, cross-linking agents such as 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), , 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)­propyl)­carbodiimide (EDC), , and divinyl sulfone (DVS) , are commonly used to modify HA. In the modification of HA, it can be processed into various forms, such as films, , microspheres, , sponges, , and microneedles , to meet the requirements of specific applications. Among these forms, HA microspheres with unique spherical structure and easy injection property are widely employed in drug delivery, , cell delivery, and soft tissue filling fields .…”