JOURNAL OF INCLUSION PHENOMENA AND MACROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY, cilt.78, sa.1-4, ss.249-255, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
Psoriasis is a relatively common, chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the skin, scalp, and joints. Calcipotriol is one of the most commonly used topical agents for the treatment of psoriasis. However, it is a water-insoluble active substance and frequently leads to skin irritation in patients. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of (alpha-1,4-)-linked D-glucopyranose units. CD molecules have a hydrophilic outer surface and a lipophilic central cavity, and they are able to form inclusion complexes in aqueous solutions with many drugs. They can increase bioavailability, aqueous solubility, and stability and also reduce the side effects of the drugs. The aim of this study was to develop a new topical drug delivery system of calcipotriol in order to improve the solubility and dissolution characteristics of the drug and reduce the undesirable side effects. For this purpose, an inclusion complex of calcipotriol with Captisol (R) was prepared, and complex formation was confirmed. The inclusion complex and pure drug were formulated separately in an emulgel base. Dissolution profiles of calcipotriol from emulgel formulations were compared with a commercial product of the drug. The drug release was significantly increased with the emulgel formulations compared to the commercial cream product.