NANOCARRIER-BASED NANOGEL FOR SELECTIVE EPIDERMAL TARGETING AND REDUCED TRANSDERMAL PERMEATION: FORMULATION PRINCIPLES, EVIDENCE, AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Author

Premkumar. R, Ranjani. G, Vasanthan. A, Jeevanandham. S


Abstract

 Topical corticosteroid therapy is intended to deliver an effective drug concentration to diseased skin while limiting unnecessary exposure of deeper tissues and systemic circulation. Clobetasol propionate (CP), a very potent topical glucocorticoid, illustrates this challenge: its strong anti-inflammatory activity is accompanied by risks associated with excessive dose, prolonged use, inappropriate application, and unintended absorption. Nanocarrier-based nanogels combine a nanoscale drug-delivery system with a semisolid vehicle and may help control drug release, increase residence at the application site, and influence distribution across individual skin layers. However, improved skin penetration is not synonymous with epidermal targeting. A system designed for epidermal delivery should demonstrate increased drug retention in the intended epidermal compartment alongside controlled or reduced passage into the receptor phase and deeper tissues. This narrative review discusses the skin-barrier basis of epidermal targeting, the rationale for combining nanocarriers with hydrogels, and the relevance of lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanoemulsions, and nanogel platforms to topical CP delivery. Published CP research shows that carrier composition and surface properties can markedly alter drug distribution; some systems have increased epidermal deposition, while others have enhanced overall permeation. The review proposes a development and evaluation framework for a CP 0.05% nanocarrier-based nanogel using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polysorbate 80, and a Carbopol 934 gel base with triethanolamine, disodium EDTA, and methylparaben, where appropriate to the final formulation. Critical quality attributes, in-vitro release, ex-vivo skin-layer retention, transdermal permeation, rheology, stability, and safety are considered. The evidence supports the feasibility of investigating nanocarrier-based nanogels for localized delivery, but selective epidermal targeting and reduced transdermal permeation must be established experimentally rather than inferred from particle size or release data alone.


Keywords

clobetasol propionate; nanogel; nanocarrier; epidermal targeting; topical drug delivery; skin retention; transdermal permeation; hydrogel.



Full Text:

Download Paper PDF


References


  1. Silva LAD, Taveira SF, Lima EM, Marreto RN, et al. Clobetasol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for epidermal targeting. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2016;68(6):742–750. doi:10.1111/jphp.12543.
  2. Mathes C, Melero A, Conrad P, Vogt T, Rigo L, Selzer D, et al. Nanocarriers for optimizing the balance between interfollicular permeation and follicular uptake of topically applied clobetasol to minimize adverse effects. Journal of Controlled Release. 2016;223:207–214. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.12.010.
  3. Nagaich U, Gulati N. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) based controlled release topical gel of clobetasol propionate: design and in vivo characterization. Drug Delivery and Translational Research. 2016;6(3):289–298. doi:10.1007/s13346-016-0291-1.
  4. Devadiga S, Sermasekaran A, Singh AD, Agrawal S, Sharma S, Choudhary D. Quality by design driven systematic development of nanoemulgel of clobetasol-17-propionate for effective treatment of psoriasis. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2024;93:105422. doi:10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105422.
  5. Novel dermal delivery cargos of clobetasol propionate: an update. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(2):383. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14020383.
  6. Ahmad MZ, Mohammed AA, Algahtani MS, Mishra A, Ahmad J. Nanoscale topical pharmacotherapy in management of psoriasis: contemporary research and scope. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2023;14(1):19. doi:10.3390/jfb14010019.
  7. Clobetasol propionate and pramoxine hydrochloride loaded nanolipid carrier gel for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. RSC Pharmaceutics. 2025;2(5):1175–1188. doi:10.1039/D5PM00048C.
  8. Silva LAD, Taveira SF, Lima EM, Marreto RN. In vitro skin penetration of clobetasol from lipid nanoparticles: drug extraction and quantitation in different skin layers. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2012. doi:10.1590/S1984-82502012000400025.
  9. S. National Library of Medicine. Clobetasol propionate topical products: prescribing information and safety warnings. DailyMed. Consult the current product-specific label applicable to the intended market before submission.
  10. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q8(R2): Pharmaceutical Development. 2009.

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons