Improved efficacy in the treatment of contact dermatitis in rats by a dermatological nanomedicine containing clobetasol propionate

We developed a dermatological nanomedicine containing clobetasol propionate-loaded nanocapsules and evaluated its efficacy in a model of contact dermatitis after topical administration in rats. Hydrogels containing clobetasol propionate-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules or nanoemulsion (HG-CP-NC and HG-CP-NE, respectively) were prepared to evaluate the influence of the polymeric wall. They presented adequate pH values (5.50-6.50) and drug content (0.5 mg g(-1)) and their rheograms exhibited a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. The best in vitro drug release control was obtained for HG-CP-NC (1.03 +/- 0.11 mu g cm(-2) h) compared to the HG-CP-NE (1.65 +/- 0.19 mu g cm (2) h) and the hydrogels containing nonencapsulated drug (HG-CP) (2.79 +/- 0.22 mu g cm(-2)h). A significant increase in NTPDase activity was observed in lymphocytes for the group treated with 0.05% HG-CP-NC every other day compared to the group treated with 0.05% HG-CP every day using the in vivo model of contact dermatitis. The nanoencapsulation of clobetasol in nanocapsules led to a better control of the drug release from the semisolid nanomedicine and provided better in vivo dermatological efficacy. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.