Surface-charge-dependent nanoparticles accumulation in inflamed skin.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are promising for dermal drug delivery.
• Limited understanding exists regarding NP interactions with diseased skin.
• Selective drug delivery to inflamed skin requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavior of polymeric NPs for selective drug delivery to inflamed skin.
• To evaluate the influence of NP surface charge on skin penetration and accumulation.
• To assess the therapeutic efficacy of charged versus neutral NPs in an inflammation model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized dithranol-induced dermatitis model in mice ears.
• Administered neutral, cationic, and anionic polymeric NPs (approx. 100 nm).
• Employed confocal laser scanning microscopy and alkaline phosphatase activity assays.

Main Results:

• Anionic NPs showed the highest accumulation (2.8%) in inflamed skin, followed by neutral (2.1%) and cationic (1.9%).
• All NPs accumulated in inflamed pilosebaceous units.
• Betamethasone-loaded charged NPs demonstrated superior therapeutic efficiency, reducing alkaline phosphatase activity more than neutral NPs.

Conclusions:

• NP surface charge critically influences penetration and accumulation in inflamed skin.
• Charged NPs exhibit enhanced adhesion and interaction with inflamed skin.
• Surface charge is key to improving therapeutic effects of NPs for inflamed skin conditions.