Nanotechnology-Based on Natural Medicines: A Promising Alternative for Psoriasis Management
Tianyi Wang1, Dan Dai2, Runxue Li3
1Department of Dermatology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, (88 Changling Road, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China).
Current Drug Delivery
|May 5, 2026
Summary
Natural medicines show promise for psoriasis treatment but face delivery challenges. Nanotechnology offers a solution by improving the efficacy and safety of these natural compounds for managing chronic skin conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Nanomedicine
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease impacting skin, nails, and joints, necessitating long-term management.
- Natural medicines offer safety advantages over synthetic drugs but suffer from poor bioavailability and stability for psoriasis treatment.
- Current drug delivery systems for psoriasis face challenges in efficacy and patient compliance due to the chronic nature of the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review nanocarrier systems for natural drugs in psoriasis management.
- To highlight the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds for psoriasis.
- To explore the preparation, preclinical, and clinical advancements of nanocarriers for natural bioactive compounds.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of nanocarrier systems (liposomes, nanoparticles, nanofibers, micelles, nanogels, nanoemulsions).
- Focus on nanocarrier preparation, preclinical, and clinical studies of natural drugs (resveratrol, curcumin, oleuropein, psoralen, natural oils, complex mixtures).
- Analysis of nanocarrier advantages, including improved drug loading, release profiles, and skin retention.
Main Results:
- Nanocarriers significantly improve the therapeutic outcomes of natural drugs for psoriasis.
- Examples include curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (48.23% drug loading) and hyaluronic acid-modified ethosomes (2.3-fold increased skin retention).
- Various nanocarrier systems demonstrate enhanced properties for delivering natural compounds.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology-based natural drugs represent a promising alternative strategy for psoriasis therapy.
- This approach can enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects associated with conventional treatments.
- Further development of nanocarrier systems is crucial for advancing natural product-based psoriasis management.
