Skip to content
2000
Volume 13, Issue 5
  • ISSN: 2211-7385
  • E-ISSN: 2211-7393

Abstract

Topical formulations of corticosteroids, particularly clobetasol propionate (CP), are commonly used to treat a range of dermatological conditions. CP is a potent corticosteroid known for its efficacy in managing inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. Emulgel-based formulations of CP have emerged as an innovative approach, offering advantages like improved drug solubility, enhanced skin penetration, and extended drug release. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the latest advancements in the development and evaluation of CP emulgel formulations. Key aspects discussed include the selection and optimization of emulgel components, formulation characterization, drug release, and pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects. Emphasis is placed on recent studies and innovations that underscore the potential of CP emulgels in dermatological therapy, highlighting their promising applications in enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/pnt/10.2174/0122117385327270241224080729
2025-10-01
2025-11-14
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. RainaN. RaniR. ThakurV.K. GuptaM. New insights in topical drug delivery for skin disorders: from a nanotechnological perspective.ACS Omega2023822191451916710.1021/acsomega.2c08016 37305231
    [Google Scholar]
  2. RituM.G. MohdI. SunnyS. NeerajG. A clinical perspective on mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery systems.J. Biomed. Res.2014282819710.7555/JBR.27.20120136 24683406
    [Google Scholar]
  3. TannerT. MarksR. Delivering drugs by the transdermal route: review and comment.Skin Res. Technol.200814324926010.1111/j.1600‑0846.2008.00316.x 19159369
    [Google Scholar]
  4. BhalaniD.V. NutanB. KumarA. Singh ChandelA.K. Bioavailability enhancement techniques for poorly aqueous soluble drugs and therapeutics.Biomedicines20221092055Epub ahead of print.10.3390/biomedicines10092055 36140156
    [Google Scholar]
  5. ChoudhuryH. GorainB. PandeyM. Recent update on nanoemulgel as topical drug delivery system.J. Pharm. Sci.201710671736175110.1016/j.xphs.2017.03.042 28412398
    [Google Scholar]
  6. SahS.K. BadolaA. NayakB.K. Emulgel: Magnifying the application of topical drug delivery.IJPBR201751253310.30750/ijpbr.5.1.4
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Yılmaz UstaD. TeksinZ.S. Tugcu-DemirozF. Evaluation of emulgel and nanostructured lipid carrier-based gel formulations for transdermal administration of ibuprofen: characterization, mechanical properties, and ex-vivo skin permeation.AAPS PharmSciTech202425512410.1208/s12249‑024‑02831‑9 38822143
    [Google Scholar]
  8. NairA.B. KumarS. DalalP. Novel dermal delivery cargos of clobetasol propionate: an update.Pharmaceutics202214238310.3390/pharmaceutics14020383 35214115
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Kubelis-LópezD. Zapata-SalazarN. Said-FernándezS. Updates and new medical treatments for vitiligo.Exp. Ther. Med.2021222797Epub ahead of print.10.3892/etm.2021.10229 34093753
    [Google Scholar]
  10. BarnesT.M. MijaljicaD. TownleyJ.P. SpadaF. HarrisonI.P. Vehicles for drug delivery and cosmetic moisturizers: review and comparison.Pharmaceutics202113122012Epub ahead of print.10.3390/pharmaceutics13122012 34959294
    [Google Scholar]
  11. KhanS.A. IliesM.A. The Phospholipase A2 superfamily: structure, isozymes, catalysis, physiologic and pathologic roles.Int. J. Mol. Sci.2023241353
    [Google Scholar]
  12. CoondooA. PhiskeM. VermaS. LahiriK. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol. Online J.20145441642510.4103/2229‑5178.142483 25396122
    [Google Scholar]
  13. MartinsM.S. AlmeidaI.F. CruzM.T. SousaE. Chronic pruritus: From pathophysiology to drug design.Biochem. Pharmacol.202321211556810.1016/j.bcp.2023.115568 37116666
    [Google Scholar]
  14. MehtaA. NadkarniN. PatilS. GodseK. GautamM. AgarwalS. Topical corticosteroids in dermatology.Indian J. Dermatol. Venereol. Leprol.201682437137810.4103/0378‑6323.178903 27279294
    [Google Scholar]
  15. ZampettiA. FelicianiC. TulliA. Pharmacotherapy of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses focus on clobetasol propionate.Clin. Med. Insights Ther.2010210.4137/CMT.S1993
    [Google Scholar]
  16. UvaL. MiguelD. PinheiroC. Mechanisms of action of topical corticosteroids in psoriasis.Int. J. Endocrinol.2012201211610.1155/2012/561018 23213332
    [Google Scholar]
  17. DharS. SethJ. ParikhD. Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids.Indian J. Dermatol.201459546046410.4103/0019‑5154.139874 25284850
    [Google Scholar]
  18. GaikwadN. AherR. BagulM. A comprehensive review on emulgel as a topical drug delivery system.Int. J. Pharma Sci.20240211
    [Google Scholar]
  19. MalaviS. KumbharP. ManjappaA. Topical emulgel: basic considerations in development and advanced research.Indian J. Pharm. Sci.20228411051115
    [Google Scholar]
  20. RitikM. SwarupH. SakshiK. Therapeutic landscape of natural products and emulgel in psoriasis.Int J Pharm Chem Anal2024112534
    [Google Scholar]
  21. TamasreeMajumder BiswasG.R. MajeeS.B. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose: different aspects in drug delivery.J. Pharm. Pharmacol.2016481010.17265/2328‑2150/2016.08.003
    [Google Scholar]
  22. FerreiraL. Mascarenhas-MeloF. RabaçaS. Cyclodextrin-based dermatological formulations: Dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces202322111301210.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.113012 36395617
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Sarfaraz AlamM. AliM.S. ZakirF. Enhancement of anti-dermatitis potential of clobetasol propionate by DHA [Docosahexaenoic Acid] rich algal oil nanoemulsion gel.Iran. J. Pharm. Res.20161513552 27610146
    [Google Scholar]
  24. ChangR.K. RawA. LionbergerR. YuL. Generic development of topical dermatologic products: formulation development, process development, and testing of topical dermatologic products.AAPS J.2013151415210.1208/s12248‑012‑9411‑0 23054971
    [Google Scholar]
  25. UdomratiS. CheetangdeeN. GohtaniS. SurojanametakulV. KlongdeeS. Emulsion stabilization mechanism of combination of esterified maltodextrin and Tween 80 in oil-in-water emulsions.Food Sci. Biotechnol.202029338739210.1007/s10068‑019‑00681‑x 32257522
    [Google Scholar]
  26. SahaD. BhattacharyaS. Hydrocolloids as thickening and gelling agents in food: a critical review.J. Food Sci. Technol.201047658759710.1007/s13197‑010‑0162‑6 23572691
    [Google Scholar]
  27. KumarM. BishnoiR.S. ShuklaA.K. JainC.P. Techniques for formulation of nanoemulsion drug delivery system: a review.Prev. Nutr. Food Sci.201924322523410.3746/pnf.2019.24.3.225 31608247
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Sen GuptaS. GhoshM. Formulation development and process parameter optimization of lipid nanoemulsions using an alginate-protein stabilizer.J. Food Sci. Technol.20155252544255710.1007/s13197‑014‑1348‑0 25892754
    [Google Scholar]
  29. AliM.S. AlamM.S. AlamN. AnwerT. SafhiM.M. Accelerated stability testing of a clobetasol propionate loaded nanoemulsion as per ICH guideline.Sci. Pharm.20138141089110010.3797/scipharm.1210‑02 24482775
    [Google Scholar]
  30. RedkarM.R. HasabeP.S. JadhavS.T. ManeP.S. KareD.J. Review on optimization base emulgel formulation.AJPTech20199322823710.5958/2231‑5713.2019.00038.2
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Castañeda-ReyesE.D. Perea-FloresM.J. Davila-OrtizG. LeeY. Gonzalez de MejiaE. Development, characterization and use of liposomes as amphipathic transporters of bioactive compounds for melanoma treatment and reduction of skin inflammation: a review.Int. J. Nanomedicine2020157627765010.2147/IJN.S263516 33116492
    [Google Scholar]
  32. KhanS. SharmaA. JainV. An overview of nanostructured lipid carriers and its application in drug delivery through different routes.Adv. Pharm. Bull.202313344646010.34172/apb.2023.056 37646052
    [Google Scholar]
  33. NiuJ. YuanM. GaoP. Microemulsion-based keratin–chitosan gel for improvement of skin permeation/retention and activity of curcumin.Gels20239758710.3390/gels9070587 37504466
    [Google Scholar]
  34. PhamC.V. VanM.C. ThiH.P. Development of ibuprofen-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle-based hydrogels for enhanced in vitro dermal permeation and in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity.J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol.20205710175810.1016/j.jddst.2020.101758
    [Google Scholar]
  35. ShakerD.S. IshakR.A.H. GhoneimA. Nanoemulsion: A review on mechanisms for the transdermal delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs.Sci. Pharm.20198717
    [Google Scholar]
  36. AbdulbaqiI.M. DarwisY. Abou AssiR. Abdul Karim KhanN. Transethosomal gels as carriers for the transdermal delivery of colchicine: statistical optimization, characterization, and ex vivo evaluation.Drug Des. Devel. Ther.20181279581310.2147/DDDT.S158018 29670336
    [Google Scholar]
  37. ChavoshyF. MakhmalzadeB.S. Polymeric micelles as cutaneous drug delivery system in normal skin and dermatological disorders.J. Adv. Pharm. Technol. Res.2018912810.4103/japtr.JAPTR_314_17 29441317
    [Google Scholar]
  38. JiffrinR. RazakS.I.A. JamaludinM.I. Electrospun nanofiber composites for drug delivery: a review on current progresses.Polymers20221418372510.3390/polym14183725 36145871
    [Google Scholar]
  39. MohammedM. SyedaJ. WasanK. WasanE. An overview of chitosan nanoparticles and its application in non-parenteral drug delivery.Pharmaceutics2017945310.3390/pharmaceutics9040053 29156634
    [Google Scholar]
  40. SoutoE.B. CanoA. Martins-GomesC. CoutinhoT.E. ZielińskaA. SilvaA.M. Microemulsions and nanoemulsions in skin drug delivery.Bioengineering (Basel)20229415810.3390/bioengineering9040158 35447718
    [Google Scholar]
  41. MahantS. KumarS. NandaS. RaoR. Microsponges for dermatological applications: Perspectives and challenges.Asian J. Pharm. Sci.202015327329110.1016/j.ajps.2019.05.004 32636947
    [Google Scholar]
  42. SharmaD. MaheshwariD. PhilipG. Formulation and optimization of polymeric nanoparticles for intranasal delivery of lorazepam using Box-Behnken design: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.Biomed Res. Int.2014201415601010.1155/2014/156010
    [Google Scholar]
  43. SoniK.S. DesaleS.S. BronichT.K. Nanogels: An overview of properties, biomedical applications and obstacles to clinical translation.J. Control. Release201624010912610.1016/j.jconrel.2015.11.009 26571000
    [Google Scholar]
  44. VermaP. PathakK. Therapeutic and cosmeceutical potential of ethosomes: An overview.J. Adv. Pharm. Technol. Res.20101327428210.4103/0110‑5558.72415 22247858
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Gawin-MikołajewiczA. NawrotU. MalecK.H. KrajewskaK. NartowskiK.P. KarolewiczB.L. The effect of high-pressure homogenization conditions on the physicochemical properties and stability of designed fluconazole-loaded ocular nanoemulsions.Pharmaceutics20231611110.3390/pharmaceutics16010011 38276489
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Cláudia Paiva-SantosA. GamaM. PeixotoD. Nanocarrier-based dermopharmaceutical formulations for the topical management of atopic dermatitis.Int. J. Pharm.202261812165610.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121656 35278601
    [Google Scholar]
  47. KhanB.A. AhmadS. KhanM.K. Fabrication and characterizations of pharmaceutical emulgel co-loaded with naproxen-eugenol for improved analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.Gels2022810608Epub ahead of print.10.3390/gels8100608 36286109
    [Google Scholar]
  48. BudaiL. BudaiM. Fülöpné PápayZ.E. VilimiZ. AntalI. Rheological considerations of pharmaceutical formulations: focus on viscoelasticity.Gels20239646910.3390/gels9060469 37367140
    [Google Scholar]
  49. DantasM.G.B. ReisS.A.G.B. DamascenoC.M.D. Development and evaluation of stability of a gel formulation containing the monoterpene borneol.Sci World J20162016739468510.1155/2016/7394685
    [Google Scholar]
  50. SalamancaC.H. Barrera-OcampoA. LassoJ.C. CamachoN. YarceC.J. Franz diffusion cell approach for pre-formulation characterisation of ketoprofen semi-solid dosage forms.Pharmaceutics201810314810.3390/pharmaceutics10030148 30189634
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Ali KhanB. UllahS. KhanM.K. AlshahraniS.M. BragaV.A. Formulation and evaluation of Ocimum basilicum-based emulgel for wound healing using animal model.Saudi Pharm. J.202028121842185010.1016/j.jsps.2020.11.011 33424273
    [Google Scholar]
  52. BadıllıU. ŞenT. TarımcıN. Microparticulate based topical delivery system of clobetasol propionate.AAPS PharmSciTech201112394995710.1208/s12249‑011‑9661‑7 21748539
    [Google Scholar]
  53. PatelB.M. KuchekarA.B. PawarS.R. Emulgel approach to formulation development: a review.Biosci. Biotechnol. Res. Asia202118345946510.13005/bbra/2931
    [Google Scholar]
  54. MilutinovJ. KrstonošićV. ĆirinD. PavlovićN. Emulgels: promising carrier systems for food ingredients and drugs.Polymers (Basel)20231510230210.3390/polym15102302 37242878
    [Google Scholar]
  55. KumarS. PrasadM. RaoR. Topical delivery of clobetasol propionate loaded nanosponge hydrogel for effective treatment of psoriasis: Formulation, physicochemical characterization, antipsoriatic potential and biochemical estimation.Mater. Sci. Eng. C202111911160510.1016/j.msec.2020.111605 33321649
    [Google Scholar]
  56. AlamM.S. AliM.S. AlamN. SiddiquiM.R. ShamimM. SafhiM.M. In vivo study of clobetasol propionate loaded nanoemulsion for topical application in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.Drug Invent. Today20135181210.1016/j.dit.2013.02.001
    [Google Scholar]
  57. MalikJ.A. AnsariJ.A. AhmedS. KhanA. AhemadN. AnwarS. Nano-drug delivery system: a promising approach against breast cancer.Ther. Deliv.202314535738110.4155/tde‑2023‑0020 37431741
    [Google Scholar]
  58. DemongeotJ. FougèreC. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines—facts and hypotheses on fragmentation and encapsulation.Vaccines (Basel)20221114010.3390/vaccines11010040 36679885
    [Google Scholar]
  59. HanR. XiaoY. BaiQ. ChoiC.H.J. Self-therapeutic metal-based nanoparticles for treating inflammatory diseases.Acta Pharm. Sin. B20231351847186510.1016/j.apsb.2022.07.009 37250153
    [Google Scholar]
  60. MehmoodY. ShahidH. Microsponge-based gel loaded with immunosuppressant as a simple and valuable strategy for psoriasis therapy: determination of pro-inflammatory response through cytokine IL-2 mRNA expression.Gels20239871
    [Google Scholar]
  61. OsmaniR.A.M. MoinA. DebT.K. BhosaleR. HaniU. Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of microsponge delivery system for facilitated fungal therapy.J. Basic Clin. Pharm.201672394810.4103/0976‑0105.177705 27057125
    [Google Scholar]
  62. ŞenyiğitT. SonvicoF. RossiA. In vivo assessment of clobetasol propionate-loaded lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles for skin delivery.Int. J. Mol. Sci.20161813210.3390/ijms18010032 28035957
    [Google Scholar]
  63. PalmerB. DeLouiseL. Nanoparticle-enabled transdermal drug delivery systems for enhanced dose control and tissue targeting.Molecules20162112171910.3390/molecules21121719 27983701
    [Google Scholar]
  64. LiN. QinY. DaiD. Transdermal delivery of therapeutic compounds with nanotechnological approaches in psoriasis.Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.2022980441510.3389/fbioe.2021.804415 35141215
    [Google Scholar]
  65. ChuahL.H. LooH.L. GohC.F. FuJ.Y. NgS.F. Chitosan-based drug delivery systems for skin atopic dermatitis: recent advancements and patent trends.Drug Deliv. Transl. Res.20231351436145510.1007/s13346‑023‑01307‑w 36808298
    [Google Scholar]
  66. PinheiroA.C. OmbredaneA.S. PinheiroW.O. Evaluation of biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities of pequi oil-based nanoemulsions in in vitro and in vivo models.Nanomaterials20221223426010.3390/nano12234260 36500883
    [Google Scholar]
  67. PatilT.S. GujarathiN.A. AherA.A. Recent advancements in topical anti-psoriatic nanostructured lipid carrier-based drug delivery.Int. J. Mol. Sci.2023243297810.3390/ijms24032978 36769305
    [Google Scholar]
  68. ArgenzianoM. HaimhofferA. BastiancichC. In vitro enhanced skin permeation and retention of imiquimod loaded in β-cyclodextrin nanosponge hydrogel.Pharmaceutics201911313810.3390/pharmaceutics11030138 30897794
    [Google Scholar]
  69. AlamM. RizwanullahM. MirS.R. AminS. Promising prospects of lipid-based topical nanocarriers for the treatment of psoriasis.OpenNano20231010012310.1016/j.onano.2023.100123
    [Google Scholar]
  70. HwangD. RamseyJ.D. KabanovA.V. Polymeric micelles for the delivery of poorly soluble drugs: From nanoformulation to clinical approval.Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.20201568011810.1016/j.addr.2020.09.009 32980449
    [Google Scholar]
  71. GuR. ZhouH. ZhangZ. Research progress related to thermosensitive hydrogel dressings in wound healing: a review.Nanoscale Adv.20235226017603710.1039/D3NA00407D 37941954
    [Google Scholar]
  72. GomesG.S. FrankL.A. ContriR.V. LonghiM.S. PohlmannA.R. GuterresS.S. Nanotechnology-based alternatives for the topical delivery of immunosuppressive agents in psoriasis.Int. J. Pharm.202363112253510.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122535 36566826
    [Google Scholar]
  73. AshfaqR. RasulA. AsgharS. KovácsA. BerkóS. Budai-SzűcsM. Lipid nanoparticles: an effective tool to improve the bioavailability of nutraceuticals.Int. J. Mol. Sci.202324211576410.3390/ijms242115764 37958750
    [Google Scholar]
  74. JinJ. XueN. LiuY. A novel S1P1 modulator IMMH002 ameliorates psoriasis in multiple animal models.Acta Pharm. Sin. B202010227628810.1016/j.apsb.2019.11.006 32082973
    [Google Scholar]
  75. SouzaR.L. OpretzkaL.C.F. MoraisM.C. Nanoemulsion improves the anti-inflammatory effect of intraperitoneal and oral administration of carvacryl acetate.Pharmaceuticals20231711710.3390/ph17010017 38276002
    [Google Scholar]
  76. DragicevicN. MaibachH.I. Liposomes and other nanocarriers for the treatment of acne vulgaris: improved therapeutic efficacy and skin tolerability.Pharmaceutics202416330910.3390/pharmaceutics16030309 38543203
    [Google Scholar]
  77. AgrawalY.O. MahajanU.B. MahajanH.S. OjhaS. Methotrexate-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriasis by moderating inflammation: formulation, optimization, characterization, in-vitro and in-vivo studies.Int. J. Nanomedicine2020154763477810.2147/IJN.S247007 32753865
    [Google Scholar]
  78. ChisA.A. DobreaC. MorgovanC. Applications and limitations of dendrimers in biomedicine.Molecules20202517398210.3390/molecules25173982 32882920
    [Google Scholar]
  79. PhilipA.K. SrivastavaM. PathakK. Buccoadhesive gels of glibenclamide: A means for achieving enhanced bioavailability.Drug Deliv.200916740541510.1080/10717540903126314 19624249
    [Google Scholar]
  80. AnP. ZhaoQ. HaoS. WangX. TianJ. MaZ. Recent advancements and trends of topical drug delivery systems in psoriasis: a review and bibliometric analysis.Int. J. Nanomedicine2024197631767110.2147/IJN.S461514 39099792
    [Google Scholar]
  81. Ranga SwaroopM. SwamynathanS. RavindranathM. DevarajY. ShaleK.S.M. Topical corticosteroid abuse over face: A clinical study.IJCED20195429930510.18231/j.ijced.2019.063
    [Google Scholar]
  82. De VleeschhauwerF. CasteelsK. HoffmanI. Systemic adverse events associated with locally administered corticosteroids.Child202411951
    [Google Scholar]
  83. PatelH.K. BarotB.S. ParejiyaP.B. ShelatP.K. ShuklaA. Topical delivery of clobetasol propionate loaded microemulsion based gel for effective treatment of vitiligo: Ex vivo permeation and skin irritation studies.Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces2013102869410.1016/j.colsurfb.2012.08.011 23000677
    [Google Scholar]
  84. MishraV.V.B.K. BhanjaS.B. PanigrahiB.B. Development and evaluation of nanoemulsion gel for transdermal delivery of valdecoxib.RJPT201912260061010.5958/0974‑360X.2019.00107.0
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/pnt/10.2174/0122117385327270241224080729
Loading
/content/journals/pnt/10.2174/0122117385327270241224080729
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test