Formulation and Development of Apremilast Loaded Zinc Oxide Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles In Treatment of Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder marked by periodic flare-ups of sharply defined red patches covered by a silvery, flaky surface. The primary disease activity leading to psoriasis occurs in the epidermis (a hyper proliferative skin disease with a markedly increased 5-6 times normal rate of epidermal turnover). Currently this drug is used for treatment of psoriasis. Apremilast is a phosphodiestrase-4 inhibitor, used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis & plaque psoriasis, but is primarily associated with serious side effects like headache, back pain, nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue, nasopharyngitis & upper respiratory tract infection. Other side effects include depression, suicidal thoughts, mood changes and even weight loss, low solubility and permeability when given through oral route. Thus it was selected in the present study. As a drug delivery carrier Mesoporous silica nanoparticles possess several advantages such as high surface area and large pore volume resulting in high drug loading capacity, ease of surface modification, biocompatibility, etc. Moreover silica is known to increase collagen synthesis and activate hydroxylation enzyme which can be beneficial in case of psoriasis. Innovative drug delivery techniques and alternative administration routes would therefore contribute to its safe and effective use. Compared to other nanoparticles MSNs provide better drug loading & permeability. Thus the objective of this study was the development of APR loaded MSNs gel preparations for the topical treatment of psoriasis. MCM-41-like nanoparticles (MSN), herein proposed as carriers which improved the permeability and hence the bioavailability and efficacy of APR. The APR/MSN complex, prepared via the Modified stober’s process, has been physico-chemically characterized. Furthermore, a series of stable APR loaded MSNs formulations have been developed & examined using UV spectrophotometer analysis, in vitro drug release and stability studies. Interestingly, the optimized concentration of the drug & MSNs were found more porous compared to the drug and loading was higher using MSN as compared to plain drug, along with reduced side effects. Thus this study predicted that the developed MSNs were useful in curing psoriasis in a shorter time with less side effects compared to conventional dosage forms.