1Department of Pharmaceutics, Oriental University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by excessive keratinocyte proliferation and immune dysregulation, requiring effective localized therapy with minimal systemic exposure. Anthralin remains a potent antipsoriatic agent, but its therapeutic utility is hindered by instability, irritation, oxidation, and poor patient compliance. The present study aimed to develop a novel anthralin-loaded proniosomal gel to enhance drug stability, improve skin targeting, and provide controlled topical delivery. Proniosomal gel was prepared by the coacervation phase separation method using non-ionic surfactants (tween 80 and span 60), cholesterol, and lecithin, followed by incorporation into a Carbopol gel base. The formulations were comprehensively evaluated for physicochemical properties, vesicle characteristics, in-vitro release, ex-vivo skin permeation, cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and in-vivo anti-psoriatic efficacy. The optimized formulation (ANPG7) showed high drug entrapment (86.58%), appropriate viscosity, skin-compatible pH, and excellent spreadability, indicating suitability for topical application. Vesicle size (~239 nm), low polydispersity index, and negative zeta potential confirmed formation of a stable and uniform vesicular system. Controlled drug release was observed over 24 hours, while ex-vivo permeation studies demonstrated minimal transdermal permeation with significant drug retention in the epidermis and dermis, supporting targeted skin delivery. Safety assessment revealed negligible hemolysis and good cytocompatibility toward normal fibroblasts L929, with enhanced cytotoxicity toward hyperproliferative keratinocytes HaCaT. In the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, the proniosomal gel significantly reduced PASI score, minimized dermal irritation, and restored normal skin and spleen histology. Overall, the developed anthralin proniosomal gel offers a stable, safe, and effective vesicular carrier that improves drug localization and therapeutic efficacy highlighting its potential as a promising topical therapy for psoriasis.
Keywords: Anthralin, Proniosomal Gel, Topical Delivery, Psoriasis, Vesicular Drug Delivery, Skin Permeation, Controlled Release.
How to cite this article: Chavan SS, Vengurlekar S, Jain S. Formulation development and characterization of anthralin proniosomal gel for topical treatment of psoriasis. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 50-55; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.10
Source of support: None.
Conflict of interest: None