Industrial Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India.
Maliba Pharmacy College, UKA Tarsadia University, Maliba Campus, Gujarat, India.
AAPS PharmSciTech. 2020 Oct 14;21(7):284. doi: 10.1208/s12249-020-01831-9.
Curcumin is a unique molecule naturally obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been reported to act on diverse molecular targets like receptors, enzymes, and co-factors; regulate different cellular signaling pathways; and modulate gene expression. It suppresses expression of main inflammatory mediators like interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, and nuclear factor κB which are involved in the regulation of genes causing inflammation in most skin disorders. The topical delivery of curcumin seems to be more advantageous in providing a localized effect in skin diseases. However, its low aqueous solubility, poor skin permeation, and degradation hinder its application for commercial use despite its enormous potential. Lipid-based nanocarrier systems including liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, lyotropic liquid crystal nanoparticles, lipospheres, and lipid nanocapsules have found potential as carriers to overcome the issues associated with conventional topical dosage forms. Nano-size, lipophilic nature, viscoelastic properties, and occlusive effect of lipid nanocarriers provide high drug loading, hydration of skin, stability, enhanced permeation through the stratum corneum, and slow release of curcumin in the targeted skin layers. This review particularly focuses on the application of lipid nanocarriers for the topical delivery of curcumin in the treatment of various skin diseases. Furthermore, preclinical studies and patents have also indicated the emerging commercialization potential of curcumin-loaded lipid nanocarriers for effective drug delivery in skin disorders. Graphical Abstract.
姜黄素是一种从姜黄根茎中天然获得的独特分子。已有报道称，姜黄素可作用于多种分子靶点，如受体、酶和辅助因子；调节不同的细胞信号通路；并调节基因表达。它抑制主要炎症介质的表达，如白细胞介素、肿瘤坏死因子和核因子 κB，这些介质参与调节大多数皮肤疾病中导致炎症的基因。姜黄素的局部给药似乎在治疗皮肤病方面更具优势。然而，尽管其具有巨大的潜力，但由于其水溶性低、皮肤渗透性差和降解，限制了其在商业用途上的应用。包括脂质体、非离子型脂质体、固体脂质纳米粒、纳米结构脂质载体、溶致液晶纳米粒、脂球体和脂质纳米胶囊在内的脂质纳米载体系统已被发现具有作为载体的潜力，以克服与传统局部剂型相关的问题。纳米尺寸、亲脂性、粘弹性和脂质纳米载体的封闭作用为药物提供了高载药量、皮肤水合作用、稳定性、增强通过角质层的渗透以及在靶向皮肤层中姜黄素的缓慢释放。本综述特别关注脂质纳米载体在治疗各种皮肤疾病中局部递送姜黄素的应用。此外，临床前研究和专利也表明，载有姜黄素的脂质纳米载体在皮肤疾病中的有效药物输送方面具有新兴的商业化潜力。
