Phytochemical-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Topical Treatment of Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Review

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated skin disease that leads to hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, immune dysfunction, oxidative stress and a defective skin barrier. While topical treatment is still the preferred choice for mild-to-moderate psoriasis, conventional topical formulation vehicles, such as creams and ointments, suffer from poor penetration, short retention time, irritation, and poor patient compliance over extended use. Recently, phytochemicals, with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties, have attracted attention as potential therapeutic agents, as they can address several pathogenic mechanisms of psoriasis. But their therapeutic potential is limited due to limited water solubility, poor bioavailability, and insufficient penetration through the stratum corneum. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), as a novel generation of lipid-based nanocarriers, provide a promising solution for improving drug loading, stability, controlled release and skin penetration. Formulation of phytochemical-loaded NLCs into gel formulations enhances formulation acceptability, retention and efficacy. This review provides a detailed overview of psoriasis pathophysiology, important phytochemicals, approaches for NLC formulation and evaluation, and recent preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrating their potential as safer and more effective topical drug delivery systems.