Development of polymeric nanoparticles with controlled drug release for dermal application

The study focused on developing dexamethasone-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for controlled drug release to the skin and hair follicles, aiming to reduce side effects and enhance treatment effectiveness. Ethyl cellulose and Eudragit® RS nanoparticles were prepared, with a blend of both polymers yielding small, positively charged nanoparticles with adequate drug loading. In vitro and ex vivo assessments showed that drug release and penetration were slower from nanoparticles compared to conventional creams, with ethyl cellulose nanoparticles demonstrating sebum-responsive release. The study concluded that these nanoparticles effectively controlled corticosteroid release and penetration, with Franz diffusion cells providing the most reproducible drug release measurements among the tested methods.