Abstract:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory genetic disease of the immune system which
affects the skin and/or joints. Tazarotene belongs to class of retinoic acid receptor.
Tazarotene targets the keratinocytes and modulates the major causes of psoriasis.
However, the most common side effects of tazarotene are burning sensation and skin
irritation at application site, which prompt for development of novel carrier that could
effectively target tazarotene to site of action without producing undesirable side
effects. The aim of present investigation was to prepare and characterize tazarotene
encapsulated transferosomal gel for the treatment of psoriasis with least burning
sensation and irritation. Drug excipients compatibility was determined using FTIR.
Transferosomes were prepared by thin film hydration method using HSPC and
surfactant. Prepared transferosomes were characterized for vesicle size, zeta potential
and percent drug entrapment. Optimized transferosomal formulation was incorporated
in structured vehicle such as HPMCK100M to formulate the gel. Transferosomal gel
was evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, pH, in vitro drug release study, ex vivo
permeation study, skin irritation study and stability study. No incompatibility between
drug and excipients was observed that indicated by FTIR. The vesicle size, zeta
potential & percent entrapment was found to be 130±0.53 nm, -10±0.21mV and
75.23±0.96 % respectively. The pH and viscosity of transferosomal gel was found to
be 6.5 and 32000±0.023 cps respectively with good spreadability. The cumulative percentage drug release of tazarotene from transferosomal gel and marketed gel
(0.05%) was found to be 85±0.21% and 79.81±0.43% respectively. Percentage of
drug permeated of tazarotene from transferosomal gel and marketed gel was found to
be 74.01±0.65% and 61.27±0.56% respectively at the end of 24 hr. Skin irritation of
transferosomal gel was found to be less compare to marketed gel. Tazarotene loaded
transferosomal gel was stable at refrigerator condition. The present investigation
provides a practical approach for topical delivery of tazarotene encapsulated in
transferosomes with least side effects such as burning and skin irritation.
