Challenges in formulating transdermal systems for treating chronic skin infections

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Chronic skin infections compromise the skin barrier, leading to inflammation and impaired drug penetration.
• Traditional treatments face issues like poor drug retention, systemic side effects, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) offer localized, regulated release but face skin barrier and drug physicochemical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review physiological and formulation challenges in TDDS for chronic skin infections.
• To explore how these challenges impact drug permeation, stability, and efficacy.
• To highlight the potential of novel nanocarrier-based TDDS approaches.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on TDDS for skin infections.
• Analysis of physiological barriers (stratum corneum) and drug physicochemical properties.
• Examination of formulation-related issues like stability, release kinetics, and adhesion.

Main Results:

• Skin infections create barriers to TDDS, including compromised hydration, pH, and inflammation.
• Drug properties (molecular weight, lipophilicity, solubility) and formulation aspects (stability, release) hinder transdermal absorption.
• Nanocarrier-based TDDS (liposomes, nanoparticles, microneedles) show potential but require formulation optimization for infected skin.

Conclusions:

• Significant physiological and formulation challenges impede effective TDDS for chronic skin infections.
• Further research and real-world evidence are crucial to refine TDDS formulations.
• Optimized TDDS are needed for improved drug permeation, stability, and clinical outcomes in treating chronic skin infections.