Nanocarrier-based dermopharmaceutical formulations for the topical management of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease that affects the skin, and that is characterized by highly itchy inflammation, frequent eczematous lesions, and a fluctuating course. The current treatment consists of a multi-stage approach that aims to establish persistent disease control towards the improvement of the quality of life of the patients. Topical therapy is the basis of AD treatment, however, due to the difficulty of crossing the skin barrier, topical application of drugs remains a challenge. In fact, in addition to the low skin bioavailability, and limited accessibility to deeper skin of the drugs - due to difficulty in penetrating the epidermis - implemented drugs in the clinical are associated with serious adverse effects, which are responsible for safety and efficacy limitations, leading to a reduction in patients' compliance. Nanotechnology arises as an emerging approach for the treatment of AD, allowing for controlled release, targeted delivery, improved penetration, and bioavailability of drugs assets, resulting in marked improved therapeutic efficacy and reduction of adverse effects. Although its promising outputs, additional studies are needed to recognize the toxicological characteristics, cost-benefit, and long-term safety of nanocarriers applied to this end. Advanced drug delivery systems, particularly nanoemulsions, liposomes, ethosomes, transfersomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanocrystals, polymeric nanoparticles, and polymeric micelles have been used, and are thoroughly addressed in this review as promising nanoformulations towards the topical treatment of AD.