Title:Current Applications and Benefits of Polymeric Nanocarriers for the
Management of Skin Disorders
Volume: 29
Issue: 38
Author(s): Maria Bernadete Riemma Pierre*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, 21.941.902,
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Keywords:
Polymeric nanocarriers, cutaneous delivery, topical application, skin disorders, nanogels, nanoparticles.
Abstract: Preparations for topical application are highly important for therapeutic and
cosmetic use since the skin has an extensive and accessible application area. Among the
many advantages, this route avoids the systemic effects of the substances and, therefore,
fewer adverse reactions are observed. However, the skin is an organ with a remarkable
barrier effect, which can compromise the administration of pharmacologically / cosmetologically
active molecules. Thus, the skin permeability of substances is a challenge that
is only achieved through the preparation of formulations capable of overcoming that
same barrier. Nanotechnology was introduced in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic areas
to enable the development of systems for the delivery of substances and the optimization
of already existing formulations. Among the several benefits and advantages of nanotechnology
for topical application is the increased penetration of the drug in the skin, the improvement
of the stability of the active, decrease in the active substances (reducing the
possible toxic effects and allergic reactions caused by the high concentration of these
compounds), and even the intensification of the drug action. This manuscript reviews the
topical delivery technologies based on polymeric nanocarriers (PNC) as nanoparticles (NP)
and nanogels (NG) and their benefits for better efficacy in most common cutaneous disorders.
It starts with skin properties, the aspects for the penetration of active ingredients
in the skin and cutaneous penetration challenges, followed by a summary of strategies for
skin penetration/permeation of drugs. Then, the focus of the current research was to review
NPs and NGs explored for skin disorders management published during the last
years.
