Novel colloidal carriers for psoriasis: Current issues, mechanistic insight and novel delivery approaches

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder of the skin with relapsing episodes of inflammation and hyperkeratosis. Numerous approaches have been explored to treat this dreadful disease using different antipsoriatic drugs with different modes of action and routes of administration. But, till date there is no cure for psoriasis due to lack of an ideal carrier for safe and effective delivery of antipsoriatic drugs. Constant progression in the development of newer formulations utilizing colloidal drug delivery systems has led to effective treatment of psoriasis. Colloidal carriers include vesicular and particulate systems like liposome, transferosome, niosomes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, microspheres, micelles, dendrimers etc. have gained unique position as drug cargoes. Present review is an attempt to contemplate on psoriasis in terms of pathogenesis, role of cytokines, major hindrances in psoriasis treatment, currently available treatment options pertaining to mode of action, pharmacokinetics, marketed products, side effects of individual antipsoriatic drugs and recent developments in the delivery of various antipsoriatic drugs through novel colloidal drug carriers. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.