INFORM March 2025

18 • inform March 2025, Vol. 36 (3)

Improving psoriasis treatment with

micro-emulgels Rebecca Guenard

Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin condition, affects millions globally, often leading to physical discomfort and psychological distress. Existing treatments, including synthetic drugs and phototherapy, frequently come with numerous side effects, from skin irritations to systemic complications like hypertension and joint pain. A recently published paper in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents describes a topical treatment made with bioactive compounds infused in micro-emugels that improves the drugs’ absorption and bioavailability, maximizing their therapeutic benefit (https://doi.org/10.1002/jsde.12829).

A team of researchers from Wadhwani College of Pharmacy in Maharashtra, India centered the new treatment around quercetin (QCT) and ferulic acid (FA), two plant-derived bio-actives renowned for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds show remarkable potential to mitigate psoriasis by suppressing pro-in flammatory mediators, such as TNF-α and IL-17, and preventing the pro tein binding that leads to inflammation. However, their therapeutic use has been limited by poor solubil ity and bioavailability. Quercetin has a 3-hydroxyflavone backbone. Its solubility in water is minimal to non-existent due to its lipophilic and hydrophobic properties. The combination of microemulsions with a hydrogel, described by these researchers, presents an opportunity to develop an alternative, natural psoriasis treatment with fewer negative effects. THE SCIENCE BEHIND MICRO-EMULGELS The micro-emulgels the team formulated used oleic acid as an oil phase, polysorbate 80 as a surfactant, and propylene glycol as a co-sur factant. Together, they create a thermodynamically stable system with nanometer-sized droplets, enhancing drug solubility and skin penetra tion. This advanced delivery mechanism ensures that bio-actives reach deeper layers of the skin effectively. Unlike traditional creams or ointments, micro-emulgels offer superior spreadability, stability, and patient compliance. The integra tion of bio-actives into a hydrogel base also enhances their controlled release, reducing the frequency of application and increasing therapeu tic efficacy.

• A research team describes formulating a microemulsion with encapsulated bioactive compounds and ensconcing them in a hydrogel. • They analyzed the resulting micro emugels and found the bioavailability of the active ingredients improved compared to direct application. • In addition, the physical properties of the resulting formulas indicate a better patient experience which leads to better compliance with treatment regimen. • Their results could lead to an effective treatment for psoriasis suffers.