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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Drug Delivery Systems for Local Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
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Drug Delivery Systems for Local Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

A Special Issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923) belonging to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2027 | Viewed by 333

Editor

Prof. Dr. Ljiljana Đekić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: formulation development; drug delivery; nanopharmaceutics; biomacromolecules; marine polysaccharides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) affect millions of patients worldwide. Such conditions in the skin (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), joints (arthritis) and mucous membranes (including inflammation in the middle and posterior segments of the eye, chronic rhinosinusitis, inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis), periodontal diseases (gingivitis, periodontitis) and inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)), can be treated locally using anti-inflammatory drugs. Conventional pharmaceutical preparations of common anti-inflammatories such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids often do not fully achieve the expected benefits of local application (increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced risk of systemic side effects), mainly due to the short retention time at the administration site and/or inconsistent bioavailability of the active substance. The development of advanced drug delivery systems to improve the local treatment of CIDs is an important focus of current biomedical research at the bench, preclinical and clinical levels. This Special Issue aims to compile ongoing research in this area, covering various advanced technological strategies in the development of drug delivery systems for the local application of both established and new anti-inflammatory drugs, including, but not limited to, in situ film-forming, gelling and implantable systems, microtechnologies, nanotechnologies and drug delivery systems sensitive to external (e.g., iontophoresis, sonophoresis) or biological (e.g., pH, temperature, enzymes) stimuli.

Prof. Dr. Ljiljana Đekić
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • chronic inflammatory diseases
  • inflammatory dermatoses
  • arthritis
  • mucous membranes
  • NSAIDs
  • corticosteroids
  • local drug delivery
  • drug delivery systems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

29 pages, 2349 KB  
Article
Understanding the Role of Solvents in Hypromellose-Based Film-Forming Solutions for Topical Administration of Ketoprofen Through a Design of Experiments Approach
by Sandra Milinković, Ivana Kurćubić, Jelena Đuriš and Ljiljana Đekić
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(10), 1249; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18101249 - 1 Oct 2026
Viewed by 164
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Topical ketoprofen gels are limited by the need for frequent reapplication, short skin residence time, and the risk of sunlight-induced photoallergic dermatitis. Film-forming solutions (FFSs) allow for extended retention; however, the solvents used may affect the polymer film’s characteristics. The present [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Topical ketoprofen gels are limited by the need for frequent reapplication, short skin residence time, and the risk of sunlight-induced photoallergic dermatitis. Film-forming solutions (FFSs) allow for extended retention; however, the solvents used may affect the polymer film’s characteristics. The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of macrogol 400 and isopropanol and develop a hypromellose-based ketoprofen FFS using a design of experiments (DoE) approach. Methods: A 32 full factorial design was applied to investigate the effects of macrogol 400 (0–5%, w/w) (X1) and isopropanol (25–50%, w/w) concentrations (X2) on film mechanical properties (tensile strength (Y1), elongation at break (Y2), and Young’s modulus (Y3)). The DoE-based placebo and ketoprofen-loaded FFSs were characterized for their physicochemical, rheological, and textural properties, while the corresponding films were evaluated for appearance, weight, stickiness, and mechanical properties. In vitro ketoprofen release from the drug-loaded FFS was also evaluated. Results: Macrogol 400 concentration was identified as a significant factor influencing film mechanical properties. As a film plasticizer, macrogol 400 improved film mechanical properties up to the optimal concentration (2.75%), whereas the water/isopropanol ratio mainly affected the applicative (rheological and textural) properties of the FFSs. Ketoprofen incorporation significantly reduced the film tensile strength and elongation at break. In vitro release testing demonstrated 58.52% ketoprofen release after 6 h, with the Weibull model showing the best fit to the release profile. Conclusions: Macrogol 400 and isopropanol have a complex, mutually conditioned influence on the application characteristics of hypromellose-based FFS and the mechanical characteristics of the films. Incorporation of ketoprofen into the selected placebo formulation significantly reduced film deformability but yielded a thin, transparent film with favorable in vitro drug-release characteristics. The developed FFS represents a promising topical dosage form for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and warrants further investigation, particularly in terms of skin retention and in vivo performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems for Local Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases)
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