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Updated: Jul 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Development and Evaluation of a Cationic Nanoemulsion-Encapsulated Retinoic Acid System for Mucosal Vaccination
Published on: February 23, 2024
Nano transdermal system combining mitochondria-targeting cerium oxide nanoparticles with all-trans retinoic acid for
Wei Wang1, Xinyi Xu2, Yanling Song2
1Department of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Third People' s Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Abstract:
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that is intricately linked to oxidative stress. Antioxidation and inhibition of abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes are pivotal strategies for psoriasis. Delivering drugs with these effects to the site of skin lesions is a challenge that needs to be solved. Herein, we reported a nanotransdermal delivery system composed of all-trans retinoic acid (TRA), triphenylphosphine (TPP)-modified cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles, flexible nanoliposomes and gels (TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel). The results revealed that TCeO2 synthesized by the anti-micelle method, with a size of approximately 5 nm, possessed excellent mitochondrial targeting ability and valence conversion capability related to scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). TCeO2-TRA-FNL prepared by the film dispersion method, with a size of approximately 70 nm, showed high drug encapsulation efficiency (>96%). TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel further showed sustained drug release behaviors, great transdermal permeation ability, and greater skin retention than the free TRA. The results of in vitro EGF-induced and H2O2-induced models suggested that TCeO2-TRA-FNL effectively reduced the level of inflammation and alleviated oxidative stress in HaCat cells. The results of in vivo imiquimod (IMQ)-induced model indicated that TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel could greatly alleviate the psoriasis symptoms. In summary, the transdermal drug delivery system designed in this study has shown excellent therapeutic effects on psoriasis and is prospective for the safe and accurate therapy of psoriasis.
Insights
A novel nanotransdermal system effectively delivers all-trans retinoic acid to treat psoriasis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, offering a promising therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition linked to oxidative stress.
- Targeted drug delivery for psoriasis remains a significant challenge.
- Antioxidation and keratinocyte proliferation inhibition are key therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a nanotransdermal delivery system for psoriasis treatment.
- To enhance drug efficacy by targeting skin lesions.
- To combine antioxidation and drug delivery functionalities.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized triphenylphosphine (TPP)-modified cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (TCeO2).
- Formulated TCeO2-all-trans retinoic acid (TRA)-flexible nanoliposomes (TCeO2-TRA-FNL).
- Incorporated TCeO2-TRA-FNL into a gel matrix (TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel) for transdermal delivery.
Main Results:
- TCeO2 nanoparticles (approx. 5 nm) exhibited mitochondrial targeting and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging.
- TCeO2-TRA-FNL (approx. 70 nm) achieved high drug encapsulation (>96%).
- The gel formulation demonstrated sustained release, enhanced skin permeation, and retention compared to free TRA.
- In vitro studies showed reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in HaCat cells.
- In vivo studies using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model demonstrated significant alleviation of symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The developed TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel system is effective for psoriasis therapy.
- The system leverages nanotransdermal delivery for targeted treatment.
- This approach shows promise for safe and accurate psoriasis management.
