Nanoemulsions: A Review on the Conceptualization of Treatment for Psoriasis Using a 'Green' Surfactant with Low-Energy Emulsification Method

Abstract

Psoriasis is a skin disease that is not lethal and does not spread through bodily contact. However, this seemingly harmless condition can lead to a loss of confidence and social stigmatization due to a persons' flawed appearance. The conventional methods of psoriasis treatment include taking in systemic drugs to inhibit immunoresponses within the body or applying topical drugs onto the surface of the skin to inhibit cell proliferation. Topical methods are favored as they pose lesser side effects compared to the systemic methods. However, the side effects from systemic drugs and low bioavailability of topical drugs are the limitations to the treatment. The use of nanotechnology in this field has enhanced drug loading capacity and reduced dosage size. In this review, biosurfactants were introduced as a 'greener' alternative to their synthetic counterparts. Glycolipid biosurfactants are specifically suited for anti-psoriatic application due to their characteristic skin-enhancing qualities. The selection of a suitable oil phase can also contribute to the anti-psoriatic effect as some oils have skin-healing properties. The review covers the pathogenic pathway of psoriasis, conventional treatments, and prospective ingredients to be used as components in the nanoemulsion formulation. Furthermore, an insight into the state-of-the-art methods used in formulating nanoemulsions and their progression to low-energy methods are also elaborated in detail.

Keywords: anti-psoriatic agent; biosurfactant; low-energy emulsification; nanoemulsion; psoriasis.

Figure 1

The flowchart of the pathogenic pathway of psoriasis. This figure is self-drawn.

Figure 2

The phase diagram illustrates the components of nanoemulsions; oil, surfactant, and water. The schematic diagrams (A,B) represent oil-in-water and water-in-oil nanoemulsions, with the surfactant molecule positioned oppositely in each case. This figure is self-drawn.

Figure 3

Illustration of phase inversion emulsification with varying temperatures (PIT) and varying compositions (PIC). The emulsion undergoes steps a-d to finally form a O/W emulsion. This is a self-drawn figure.

Figure 4

Illustration of the spontaneous emulsification mechanism. This is a self-drawn figure.

Figure 5

Illustration of D-phase emulsification. This is a self-drawn figure.