Unveiling hydrogel's prominence: a breakthrough in topical formulations for psoriasis treatment

Psoriasis is chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder affecting millions of people worldwide (2-3% of world population). Treatment of psoriasis ranges from use of topicals to biologicals. Although topical treatments are preferred for mild to moderate cases of psoriasis, the thickened, inflamed skin, and the absence of moisturizing properties make conventional topical treatment challenging, hindering the effective management of the condition. The hydrogel-based systems are reported to be excellent vehicles and carriers for overcoming the barriers in topical delivery of drugs by hydrating the thick plaques and providing controlled release of medicament into the tough scaly skin. Recently, many nanocarrier loaded hydrogels-based system has gained popularity for effective delivery of drugs across psoriatic skin. The present review focuses on psoriasis, the deviation from normal skin in psoriatic condition which renders the effective delivery of drugs through topical route a greater challenge and how hydrogels-based system can effectively help alleviate psoriasis through effective drug delivery across the hyperkeratinized skin. In summary, hydrogels have emerged as effective carriers in psoriasis treatment as they provide a soothing effect, better patient acceptance, good penetration, controlled, sustained, and even smart drug release thus providing relief along with treatment. [Graphical Abstract]