Ionic Liquid-Mediated Delivery of Ruxolitinib to Skin Using an Adhesive Topical Hydrogel System

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dermatology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The stratum corneum limits topical drug delivery, hindering treatment efficacy for skin conditions.
• Ionic liquids (ILs) enhance skin penetration but lack controlled release capabilities.
• Developing effective topical drug delivery systems for conditions like atopic dermatitis remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel hydrogel platform for sustained and controlled topical delivery of drugs using ionic liquids.
• To investigate the efficacy of an IL-loaded, adhesive hydrogel for delivering ruxolitinib for atopic dermatitis treatment.
• To evaluate the skin permeation and accumulation of ruxolitinib delivered via the hydrogel system.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of ionic liquids (ILs) into a phenolic-functionalized, tissue-adhesive hydrogel.
• Loading of ruxolitinib nanoparticles within the IL-enriched hydrogel system.
• Assessment of hydrogel adhesion, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility with macrophages.
• Quantification of ruxolitinib accumulation in the dermis compared to a clinical ointment.

Main Results:

• The IL-loaded hydrogel demonstrated robust skin adhesion and sustained drug release without compromising mechanical properties or causing inflammation.
• Ruxolitinib delivery via the hydrogel significantly increased drug accumulation in the dermis compared to a standard ointment.
• The ionic liquid choline trans-2-butenoic acid (CA2BE) was successfully embedded in the hydrogel.

Conclusions:

• The developed multifunctional hydrogel platform enables efficient skin permeation and controlled release of drugs.
• This system shows significant potential for treating atopic dermatitis and other skin disorders requiring topical drug delivery.
• Combining ILs with adhesive hydrogels offers a promising strategy for advanced transdermal therapeutics.