Nanoemulsion loaded gel for topical co-delivery of clobitasol propionate and calcipotriol in psoriasis

Current work reports the development and optimization of clobitasol propionate (CP) and calcipotriol (CT) loaded nanoemulsion based gel for topical treatment of psoriasis. Components of nanoemulsion viz., oil and surfactant/co-surfactant were selected depending upon solubility and emulsification potential respectively. The optimized ratio of 5: 3: 2 of Capmul MCM C8 EP, Cremophor RH 40 and Labrafil 1944 CS was selected. Carbopol 980 was used as gelling agent to achieve final drug concentration of 0.05% w/w and 0.005% w/w respectively for CP and CT. HaCaT cell lines showed higher uptake of drug from nanoemulsion in correlation with the enhancement in penetration of both drugs in stratum corneum (SC) and viable layer from nanoemulsion and gel as compared to free drugs. Imiquimod induced psoriatic BALB/c mice revealed significantly higher anti-psoriatic activity of nanoemulsion gel as compared to free drugs and marketed formulation. The developed formulation showed negligible skin irritation despite increased penetration into the skin. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.