A new concept for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Silver-nanolipid complex (sNLC)

In the treatment of mild to medium severe atopic dermatitis a new formulation proved to be highly efficient. The formulation is based on a combination of microsilver and nanolipid carriers (NLC) incorporated into an o/w cream and a lotion. A theory of action was proposed, the formation of silver-NLC complex (sNLC). In this study this theory was proven, and based on this new mechanism two new approaches for dealing with AD are suggested to distinctly improve AD treatment, i.e. increasing efficiency, reducing drug exposure and reducing side effects. The antimicrobial silver ions adsorb onto the surface of the negatively charged NLC (=sNLC complex). The sNLC as nanoparticles are highly adhesive to skin and bacterial surfaces, leading to a locally high concentration of silver ions killing the bacteria, much more effective than silver alone. The NLC restore the distorted skin barrier. Based on this a new two-step approach is suggested: (1) treatment-supportive consumer care by restoring the normal skin condition (NLC for barrier restoration plus synergistic antibacterial silver-NLC complex) and (2) drug-loaded consumer care AD formulations. i.e. incorporating drugs into the NLC of this consumer care formulation. NLC incorporation makes the drugs more effective (penetration enhancement) and simultaneously exploits the skin normalization ability of the skin care sNLC formulation, future drug candidates being prednicarbate and tacrolimus. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.