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Pharmaceutics
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Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders
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Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 12670

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ioana Viorica Olariu

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
2. Formulation and Technology of Drugs Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: drug formulation; topical drug delivery systems and cosmetics (ointments, lipophilic and hydrophilic creams, hydrogels, oleogels, bigels, nanoparticulate and microparticulate systems); physicochemical, rheological and textural evaluation of topical drug delivery systems and cosmetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vicenţiu Vlaia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department I—Organic Chemistry, Formulation and Technology of Drugs Research Center, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: drug design; drug formulation; topical drug delivery systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of dermatology has achieved significant advancements with the advent of novel drug delivery systems that offer more effective treatments for skin disorders. These systems harness nanotechnology, such as nanoparticles, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), microsponges, nanosponges, vesicular systems (liposomes, ethosomes, and niosomes), and 3D printing technologies, which enhances the penetration and permeation of therapeutic agents through the skin's protective barrier, enabling more targeted and potent treatments.

In summary, these innovative drug delivery systems hold promise for more effective and safe therapies, optimizing the management of skin disorders in dermatology.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome to be submitted.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ioana Viorica Olariu
Dr. Vicenţiu Vlaia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • drug delivery
  • nanoparticles
  • vesicular systems
  • 3D-printed drugs
  • topical dosage form
  • skin disorder
  • penetration

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

35 pages, 3478 KB  
Article
Casimiroa edulis Leaf Extract–Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Untargeted Phytochemical Profiling and Wound-Healing-Oriented Antioxidant/Occlusive Characterization
by Clara Luisa Domínguez-Delgado, Mariana Montserrat Guadarrama-López, Yair Cruz-Narváez, Rafael Iván Puente-Lee, Sergio Arturo Ojeda-Piedra and María de la Luz Zambrano-Zaragoza
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020249 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 784
Abstract
Background: Nanoparticles are a promise for wound-healing therapies. However, its lack of efficacy/safety represents a real challenge for therapeutic use. Objectives: To overcome these problems, the ethanolic extract of Casimiroa edulis leaves, previously reported for its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antioxidant activities, was characterized [...] Read more.
Background: Nanoparticles are a promise for wound-healing therapies. However, its lack of efficacy/safety represents a real challenge for therapeutic use. Objectives: To overcome these problems, the ethanolic extract of Casimiroa edulis leaves, previously reported for its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antioxidant activities, was characterized by FIA-ESI-FTICR-MS and encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles for potential wound-healing therapies. Methods:Casimiroa edulis-loaded nanoparticles (CE-NP) were prepared using the rapid emulsion-diffusion method and characterized by their particle size distribution, molecular interactions, charge, morphology, pH, physical stability, and antioxidant and occlusive effects. Results: A total of 40/34 ions in positive/negative electrospray ionization modes were obtained from the extract exploration analysis and were putatively annotated by accurate mass against databases with an error tolerance ≤10 mDa. The most abundant compounds showed the following order: tetramethylscutellarein > rutin > S-usnate > lactose > eugenol derivative > rotenone. While polyphenols predominated, carbohydrates, depsidones/other phenolics, etc., were also detected. The solid/spherical nanoparticles observed by TEM were obtained with a blend of acetone:methyl ethyl ketone (75:25) as the organic phase, producing a unimodal particle size (169.30 ± 1.30 nm; PdI = 0.08 ± 0.03). The encapsulation/loading percentages were 57 ± 0.74/1.62 ± 0.02%, ensuring an entrapment of half the extract, as observed in the FTIR studies. The light backscatter profiles show minimal differences, indicating physical stability correlated with the Z potential (−9.45 ± 1.73 mV). The antioxidant activity of the extract/nanoparticles at 40 µg/mL was 17.27 ± 2.86/16.73 ± 1.28 μg/mL, two-fold higher than that previously reported for sapote seeds. Conclusions: Biodegradable CE-NP with suitable characteristics were obtained for the first time, representing a preliminary proposal for wound healing. Efficacy studies are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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23 pages, 1571 KB  
Article
Valorization of Thyme Combined with Phytocannabinoids as Anti-Inflammatory Agents for Skin Diseases
by Daniela Hermosilha, Guilherme Trigo, Mariana Coelho, Inês Lehmann, Matteo Melosini, Ana Paula Serro, Catarina Pinto Reis, Maria Manuela Gaspar and Susana Santos
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101291 - 2 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
Background: Skin diseases of inflammatory origin, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne, have a substantial prevalence in the world population. Natural products are particularly important at a topical level. Essential oils are examples of natural products and thyme in particular has been [...] Read more.
Background: Skin diseases of inflammatory origin, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne, have a substantial prevalence in the world population. Natural products are particularly important at a topical level. Essential oils are examples of natural products and thyme in particular has been used for medicinal purposes due to its biological properties. Objectives: The aim of present work was to study the anti-inflammatory potential of Thymus mastichina essential oil, focusing on purified terpene-rich fractions. whose major compounds were thymol and linalool, eucalyptol and α-terpineol, and γ-terpinene and terpinolene, respectively. Additionally, a phytocannabinoid formulation containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) was evaluated to explore potential synergistic effects. Methods: Thymus mastichina essential oil was extracted and purified to obtain terpene-enriched fractions, which were used to develop three distinct formulations. These were screened for antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and assessed for cytotoxicity in HaCaT human keratinocytes. Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated via gene expression. Selected thyme formulations—alone or in combination with CBD/CBG—were also tested in vivo using a mouse model of acute skin inflammation. Results: The antioxidant activity of the three formulations showed a reduction in DPPH radicals. In addition, the formulations demonstrated to be safe in vitro in the human keratinocyte cell model HaCaT. Under PMA-induced inflammatory stress, the fractions modulated-inflammatory gene expression to varying degrees While terpene fractions alone showed moderate activity, their combination with CBD/CBG enhanced the anti-inflammatory response. In vivo, the gel formulations reduced oedema in a mouse model of acute inflammation. Conclusions: The data support the safe and effective use of Thymus mastichina-derived terpene fractions for topical anti-inflammatory applications. The synergistic effect observed with CBD and CBG suggests that combining essential oil terpenes with phytocannabinoids may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for managing inflammatory skin disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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19 pages, 2144 KB  
Article
Nanoparticles Loaded with Lippia graveolens Essential Oil as a Topical Delivery System: In Vitro Antiherpetic Activity and Biophysical Parameters Evaluation
by Nancy Nallely Espinosa-Carranza, Rocío Álvarez-Román, David A. Silva-Mares, Luis A. Pérez-López, Catalina Leos-Rivas, Catalina Rivas-Morales, Juan Gabriel Báez-González and Sergio Arturo Galindo-Rodríguez
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101286 - 2 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1112
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The skin is a protective barrier against pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes recurrent and highly prevalent skin infections worldwide. The increasing resistance of HSV-1 to conventional treatments has driven the search for new therapeutic alternatives. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The skin is a protective barrier against pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes recurrent and highly prevalent skin infections worldwide. The increasing resistance of HSV-1 to conventional treatments has driven the search for new therapeutic alternatives. In this context, the essential oil of Lippia graveolens (EOL) has demonstrated promising antiviral activity; however, its high volatility limits direct skin application. To overcome this, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with EOL were developed to improve its availability and antiviral efficacy. Methods: Nanoformulations were prepared by nanoprecipitation, and their antiviral activity against HSV-1 was evaluated using the plaque reduction assay. The effect of the nanoformulations on skin barrier integrity was assessed using an ex vivo porcine skin model and non-invasive techniques. Results: The NP-EOL exhibited physicochemical properties favorable for skin deposition, including a particle size around 200 nm, a polydispersity index of ≤ 0.2, and negative zeta potential. Moreover, NP-EOL showed 1.85-fold higher antiviral activity against HSV-1 compared with free EOL, while also reducing cytotoxicity in Vero cells. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that the NPs promoted skin hydration without altering pH or transepidermal water loss, suggesting they do not disrupt skin homeostasis. This study supports the potential of NP-based systems as effective topical delivery vehicles for EOL, representing a promising therapeutic alternative against HSV-1 skin infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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22 pages, 1532 KB  
Article
Novel Alkyl-Polyglucoside-Based Topical Creams Containing Basil Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum L. Lamiaceae): Assessment of Physical, Mechanical, and Sensory Characteristics
by Ana Barjaktarević, Georgeta Coneac, Snežana Cupara, Olivera Kostić, Marina Kostić, Ioana Olariu, Vicenţiu Vlaia, Ana-Maria Cotan, Ştefania Neamu and Lavinia Vlaia
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070934 - 19 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Basil essential oil exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Considering the health benefits of basil essential oil (BEO) and the favorable properties of alkyl polyglucoside emulsifiers, novel Montanov™-68-based O/W creams containing BEO were developed and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Basil essential oil exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Considering the health benefits of basil essential oil (BEO) and the favorable properties of alkyl polyglucoside emulsifiers, novel Montanov™-68-based O/W creams containing BEO were developed and characterized. Additionally, the influence of the emulsifier content on the cream’s properties was evaluated. Methods: The physicochemical properties were evaluated by organoleptic examination, physical stability test, and pH and electrical conductivity measurement. The mechanical properties were investigated by rheological, textural, and consistency analyses. In addition, a sensory evaluation protocol was applied. Results: The cream formulations containing 5% and 7% Montanov™ 68 demonstrated physical stability, with no evidence of phase separation during the observation period or following accelerated aging. The pH values remained within the acceptable range for topical use, and a gradual decrease in electrical conductivity over time was observed. The rheological analyses confirmed the non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropic flow characteristics. The textural analyses demonstrated that the higher emulsifier content led to increased firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and index of viscosity. The sensory analysis revealed differences between the alkyl polyglucoside (APG)-based cream formulations only in terms of the elasticity and stickiness. Conclusions: Although the rheological analyses suggested the better spreadability of the formulation with 5% emulsifier, this was not confirmed by the sensory analysis. However, the APG-based formulations performed significantly better than the synthetic surfactant-based formulation in terms of the absorption, stickiness, and greasiness (during and after application). These results are encouraging for the further evaluation of APG-based creams containing basil essential oil for topical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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Review

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30 pages, 5022 KB  
Review
Fibroblast-Targeted Nanodelivery Systems: Mechanisms of Collagen Remodeling Regulation and Novel Strategies for Scar Repair
by Junshan Lan, Zhipeng Teng, Qian Huang, Fang Qin, Yibin Zheng, Yuting Liu, Yilin Chang, Xing Zhou, Xiaohui Li, Wenwu Wan, Lu Wang and Jie Lou
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020172 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 870
Abstract
Scar formation is a common outcome of post-injury repair and can compromise both esthetic appearance and physiological function. Fibroblasts are central mediators of this process; their aberrant activation or differentiation into myofibroblasts drives fibrosis and excessive scar tissue accumulation. Nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) [...] Read more.
Scar formation is a common outcome of post-injury repair and can compromise both esthetic appearance and physiological function. Fibroblasts are central mediators of this process; their aberrant activation or differentiation into myofibroblasts drives fibrosis and excessive scar tissue accumulation. Nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) offer unique opportunities to modulate fibroblast behavior through cell-/microenvironment-guided targeting, controlled release, and stimuli-adaptive designs. Here, we summarize fibroblast biology across scar repair and delineate the mechanistic underpinnings of scar pathogenesis. We then synthesize recent progress in NDDS-enabled interventions for pathological scarring, with an emphasis on how materials design can be matched to fibroblast states and wound-stage cues. By connecting mechanisms to delivery strategies, this review provides a framework to guide the development of scar-minimizing therapies and functional tissue regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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34 pages, 13635 KB  
Review
Research Advances in Therapeutic Strategies and Drug Delivery Systems for Pathological Scars
by Yuxin Shi and Ling Li
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020148 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Pathological scars are fibrotic lesions that result from aberrant wound healing following tissue injury, such as burns. They are frequently associated with disfigurement and dysfunction, thereby severely impairing the quality of life of affected patients. Current clinical treatments, including surgery, laser therapy, and [...] Read more.
Pathological scars are fibrotic lesions that result from aberrant wound healing following tissue injury, such as burns. They are frequently associated with disfigurement and dysfunction, thereby severely impairing the quality of life of affected patients. Current clinical treatments, including surgery, laser therapy, and corticosteroid injections, are often characterized by limited efficacy, high recurrence rates, and undesirable side effects, including skin atrophy. Furthermore, the dense structure and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in scar tissue present a significant barrier to effective drug penetration, thereby further limiting therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, biomaterial-based drug delivery systems, which integrate sustained drug release with minimally invasive transdermal technologies, have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of traditional therapies. This review systematically outlines the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of pathological scars, summarizes established and emerging treatments, and highlights the application strategies and future prospects of novel biomaterial-based drug delivery systems for managing this condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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22 pages, 1489 KB  
Review
Bioadhesive Nanoparticles in Topical Drug Delivery: Advances, Applications, and Potential for Skin Disorder Treatments
by Rashed M. Almuqbil and Bandar Aldhubiab
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17020229 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3833
Abstract
Skin disorders are the fourth most common cause of all diseases, which affect nearly one-third of the world’s population. Topical drug delivery can be effective in treating a range of skin disorders, including microbial infections, skin cancer, dermatitis, burn injury, wounds, and psoriasis. [...] Read more.
Skin disorders are the fourth most common cause of all diseases, which affect nearly one-third of the world’s population. Topical drug delivery can be effective in treating a range of skin disorders, including microbial infections, skin cancer, dermatitis, burn injury, wounds, and psoriasis. Bioadhesive nanoparticles (BNPs) can serve as an efficient topical drug delivery system as they can serve dual purposes as bioadhesives and nanocarriers, which can mediate targeted drug delivery, prolong retention time, and deepen drug penetration through skin layers. There is an increasing demand for BNP-based applications in medicine because of their various advantages, including biodegradability, flexibility, biocompatibility, and enhanced adhesive strength. A number of BNPs have already been developed and evaluated as potential topical drug delivery systems. In addition, a range of studies have already been carried out to evaluate the potential of BNPs in the treatment of various skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, skin cancer, psoriasis, microbial infections, wounds, and severe burn injuries. This review article is timely and unique, because it provides an extensive and unique summary of the recent advances of BNPs in the treatment of wide-ranging skin disorders. Moreover, this review also provides a useful discussion on the bioadhesion mechanism and various biopolymers that can be used to prepare BNPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Disorders)
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