Novel Therapeutic Hybrid Systems Using Hydrogels and Nanotechnology: A Focus on Nanoemulgels for the Treatment of Skin Diseases

Abstract

Topical and transdermal drug delivery are advantageous administration routes, especially when treating diseases and conditions with a skin etiology. Nevertheless, conventional dosage forms often lead to low therapeutic efficacy, safety issues, and patient noncompliance. To tackle these issues, novel topical and transdermal platforms involving nanotechnology have been developed. This review focuses on the latest advances regarding the development of nanoemulgels for skin application, encapsulating a wide variety of molecules, including already marketed drugs (miconazole, ketoconazole, fusidic acid, imiquimod, meloxicam), repurposed marketed drugs (atorvastatin, omeprazole, leflunomide), natural-derived compounds (eucalyptol, naringenin, thymoquinone, curcumin, chrysin, brucine, capsaicin), and other synthetic molecules (ebselen, tocotrienols, retinyl palmitate), for wound healing, skin and skin appendage infections, skin inflammatory diseases, skin cancer, neuropathy, or anti-aging purposes. Developed formulations revealed adequate droplet size, PDI, viscosity, spreadability, pH, stability, drug release, and drug permeation and/or retention capacity, having more advantageous characteristics than current marketed formulations. In vitro and/or in vivo studies established the safety and efficacy of the developed formulations, confirming their therapeutic potential, and making them promising platforms for the replacement of current therapies, or as possible adjuvant treatments, which might someday effectively reach the market to help fight highly incident skin or systemic diseases and conditions.

Biomaterials-based hydrogels for therapeutic applications

“…Currently, a variety of modern products have been commercially launched for wound care, including foams, films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, and hydrofibers. Hydrogels are ideal wound dressings due to their exceptional biological properties [68][69][70][71]. Dressings based on hydrogels are considered advanced successful systems and particularly useful tools in biomedical practice.…”

Potential of Curcumin in the Management of Skin Diseases

“…Curcumin, as a natural hydrophobic dissolves easily in substances like dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, ethanol, and oils [136]. However, it does not demonstrate good permeability through skin [137]. Similarly to other compounds that are delivered epidermally, CUR also must overcome obstacles such as the skin's stratum corneum which results in decreased transdermal drug efficacy.…”

“…A study from 2024 shows that newly developed nanoemulgels perform better than existing formulations available in the market. Their efficacy and therapeutic potential are due to properties such as controlled drug release profiles and adequate ex vivo skin drug permeation and/or retention that ensure high levels of anti-aging qualities of curcumin formulation [137]. An intriguing way to topically apply CUR would be to use a face mask.…”

Nanocomposite hydrogels in skin cancer medicine

“…A large number of nanomaterials are tested for their unique properties depending on the type of disease. Specifically for skin cancer treatment, magnetic hydrogels have attracted attention related to their biomedical and pharmaceutical applications [15,16]. The use of magnetic NPs (e.g., iron oxide NPs) dispersed in a hydrogel structure, forms adaptive conditions under a magnetic field.…”