Novel Synergistic Approach: Tazarotene-Calcipotriol-Loaded-PVA/PVP-Nanofibers Incorporated in Hydrogel Film for Management and Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that generally affects 1%–3% of the total population globally. Effective treatment of psoriasis is limited because of numerous factors, such as ineffective drug delivery and efficacy following conventional pharmaceutical treatments. Nanofibers are widely being used as nanocarriers for effective treatment because of their multifunctional and distinctive properties, including a greater surface area, higher volume ratio, increased elasticity and improved stiffness and resistance to traction, favorable biodegradability, high permeability, and sufficient oxygen supply, which help maintain the moisture content of the skin and improve the bioavailability of the drugs. Similar to the extracellular matrix, nanofibers have a regeneration capacity, promoting cell growth, adhesion, and proliferation, and also have a more controlled release pattern compared with that of other conventional therapies at the psoriatic site. To ensure improved drug targeting and better antipsoriatic efficacy, this study formulated and evaluated a tazarotene (TZT)-calcipotriol (CPT)-loaded nanofiber and carbopol-based hydrogel film. The nanofiber was prepared using electrospinning with a polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVA/PVP) K-90 polymeric blend that was later incorporated into a carbopol base to form hydrogel films. The prepared nanofibers were biochemically evaluated and in vitro and in vivo characterized. The mean diameters of the optimized formulation, i.e., TZT-loaded polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofiber (TZT-PVA/PVP-NF) and TZT-CPT-loaded polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofiber (TZT-CPT-PVA/PVP-NF) were 244.67 ± 58.11 and 252.31 ± 35.50 nm, respectively, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, and their tensile strength ranged from 14.02 ± 0.54 to 22.50 ± 0.03 MPa. X-ray diffraction revealed an increase in the amorphous nature of the nanofibers. The biodegradability studies of prepared nanofiber formulations, irrespective of their composition, showed that these completely biodegraded within 2 weeks of their application. The TZT-CPT-PVA/PVP-NF nanofibers exhibited 95.68% ± 0.03% drug release at the end of 72 h, indicating a controlled release pattern and following Higuchi release kinetics as a best-fit model. MTT assay, antioxidant and lipid profile tests, splenomegaly assessment, and weight fluctuation were all performed in the in vitro as well as in vivo studies. We found that the TZT-CPT-PVA/PVP-NF-based hydrogel film has high potential for antipsoriatic activity in imiquimod-induced Wistar rats in comparison with that of TT-PVA/PVP-NF nanofibers.

Self‐healing mineralized hydrogel scaffolds for stretch‐triggered dye release

“…At predetermined time intervals, the SHMH were removed from the solution and reweighed to check the weight loss. The weight loss was then determined as a difference between the mass of SHMH before and after the incubation, normalized to the mass of SHMH before incubation 12 …”

“…The weight loss was then determined as a difference between the mass of SHMH before and after the incubation, normalized to the mass of SHMH before incubation. 12 2.10 | Evaluation of adhesion (thumb tack test)…”

New Insights in Topical Drug Delivery for Skin Disorders: From a Nanotechnological Perspective

“…At the end of 72 h, the TZT-CPT-PVA/PVP-NF nanofibers showed 95.68% 0.03% drug release, demonstrating a regulated release pattern and fitting best to Higuchi release kinetics. In comparison to TT-PVA/PVP-NF nanofibers, TZT-CPT-PVA/PVP-NF hydrogel film has a higher potential for the treatment of psoriasis . Three MTX-loaded electrospun nanofibrous patches were fabricated using a combination of polycaprolactone (PCL), eudragit L100, and both.…”

Evolving Trends in Nanofibers for Topical Delivery of Therapeutics in Skin Disorders

“…The electrospinning technique was used to fabricate the nanofibers with an average diameter of 244.67 ± 58.11 and 252.31 ± 35.50 nm. The developed nanofibers were found to have a good tensile strength of 14.02 ± 0.54 to 22.50 ± 0.03 MPa and biodegrade within 2 weeks, indicating its biocompatible nature, with a sustained release of the drug up to 72 h. In contrast to tazarotene-loaded nanofibers, the hydrogel film made of tazarotene and CPT-loaded nanofibers showed a strong capacity for antipsoriatic activity in Wistar rats exposed to imiquimod …”