A Comprehensive Review on the Growing Potential of Novel Nanocarriers in Psoriasis Therapy

Abstract: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and abnormal epidermal differentiation on the scalp, nails, elbows, knees, and other body sites, affecting about 2-5% of the world’s population. Numerous treatment options are available for psoriasis, but none of the therapeutic agents are sufficiently efficacious or patient-friendly. Available agents aim to reduce signs and symptoms rather than provide a complete cure. Moreover, conventional treatments have a low benefit-to-risk ratio, which limits their utility. Novel nanocarrier-based treatments have shown potential to overcome the drawbacks of existing therapies by reducing dose, dose frequency, and associated side effects. Currently, nanoformulations are widely used for the safe treatment of psoriasis. This review focuses on comprehensive treatment approaches, particularly nanoformulations such as lipid-based nanocarriers (niosomes, liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions), polymeric systems (hydrogels, micelles, nanospheres, nanocapsules), lipid-polymer hybrids (polymer-core lipid-shell systems, polymer-caged liposomes), and metallic nanocarriers (metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots). Nanoformulations may serve as future alternatives to conventional psoriasis treatments due to their enhanced penetration, safety, efficacy, and improved patient compliance.