Formulation and Clinical Evaluation of Ethosomal and Liposomal Preparations of Anthralin in Psoriasis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2020-01-15
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Psoriasis is a common immune mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by red heavily
scaled plaques. Anthralin (1,8-dihydroxy-9-anthrone) which was introduced over 80 years ago
has shown excellent efficacy in the management of psoriasis.Although anthralin is remarkably
effective in the management of psoriasis, its side effects are equally disturbing. Its use is
messy as it stains the skin, clothing, and any furniture that it may come in contact with.
Further, anthralin has irritating, burning, brown discoloration and necrotizing effect on the
normal and the diseased skin. This troublesome profile has discouraged wide-spread use of the
drug.
Ethosomes are attractive vesicular carriers mainly composed of phospholipids, ethanol and
water. The intriguing features of ethosomes are due to their high ethanol content which
facilitate their penetration through stratum corneum and target deep skin layers. This is
advantageous over conventional liposomes which have limited penetration through the skin and
remain confined in the upper layer of the stratum corneum. Compared to liposomes, ethosomes
had greater retention of methotrexate into the skin for a longer period of time, suggesting
better therapeutic outcome.