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Hydrocortisone-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles for atopic dermatitis treatment
Catarina Rosado1, Catarina Silva, Catarina P Reis
1Universidade Lusófona (CBIOS - Experimental Dermatology Unit), Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal.
Insights
Hydrocortisone-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles offer a promising treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD), enabling controlled drug release and reducing side effects. This nanotechnology enhances therapeutic efficacy for chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition, particularly affecting infants.
- Current treatments for AD often involve corticosteroids with potential long-term side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize hydrocortisone-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (NPs) for enhanced atopic dermatitis treatment.
- To achieve prolonged drug release and minimize side effects associated with conventional hydrocortisone therapy.
Main Methods:
- Poly(ε-caprolactone) NPs were prepared using a modified solvent displacement method.
- Characterization included size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE), FT-IR spectrometry, and in vitro permeation studies using Franz cells.
- In vitro toxicology assessments were performed on the nanosystem.
Main Results:
- The hydrocortisone-loaded NPs exhibited increased size, homogenous distribution, and negative surface charge, with an entrapment efficiency of approximately 62%.
- In vitro studies demonstrated controlled hydrocortisone release over time and confirmed system stability for one week.
- Permeation studies showed significant differences between encapsulated and free hydrocortisone, and in vitro toxicity tests indicated no adverse effects from encapsulation.
Conclusions:
- Encapsulation of hydrocortisone within PCL NPs facilitates controlled drug delivery for atopic dermatitis.
- This nanocarrier system shows potential for faster disease control and reduced corticosteroid-related side effects in long-term applications.
Abstract:
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects mostly young infants. The purpose of this research was to achieve a prolonged drug release and the reduction of side effects with hydrocortisone-loaded nanoparticles (NPs), for AD treatment. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) NPs were prepared by modified solvent displacement method and were characterized in terms of size, potential zeta, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and in vitro permeation studies using Franz cells. Toxicology of this nanosystem was also assessed. The obtained NPs EE showed an increased size and a more homogenous size distribution after loading and were negatively charged. EF was around 62%. In vitro release studies demonstrated a controlled release of drug from the NPs over time. FT-IR analysis showed the system stability for one week. Permeation studies revealed significant differences in the permeation of encapsulated and free hydrocortisone. In vitro toxicity studies showed no effect of drug toxicity after encapsulation. The study seems to indicate that encapsulation of hydrocortisone in PCL NPs could enable a faster control of the disease and a decrease in the side effects associated to the long-term application of corticosteroids.
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