'Transfersome-embedded-gel' for dual-mechanistic delivery of anti-psoriatic drugs to dermal lymphocytes.

Aim: Develop a platform for co-delivering clobetasol propionate (CP) and cyclosporine (CyA) to the epidermis and dermis to treat psoriasis.

Methods: The transfersomes were prepared by thin-film hydration method. Transfersomes were characterised by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Then, the gel stability, viscosity, pH, and spreadability were measured. Cytotoxicity of the CyA-loaded transfersome embedded in CP-dispersed gel (TEG-CyA-CP) was assessed on both human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and Jurkat cells. cellular uptake and dermal distribution was measured. The expression of inflammatory markers was assessed by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR).

Results: Nanoscale (<150 nm) transferosomes with high CyA encapsulation efficiency (>86%) were made. TEG-CyA-CP demonstrated higher viscosity (4808.8 ± 12.01 mPas), which may help control dual drug release. results showed TEG-CyA-CP ability to deliver CyA in the dermis and CP in the epidermis. RT-PCR studies showed the optimised formulation helps reduce the tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels to relieve psoriasis symptoms.

Conclusion: The developed TEG-CyA-CP represents a promising fit-to-purpose delivery platform for the dual-site co-delivery of CyA and CP in treating psoriasis.