Delivery and Anti-Psoriatic Effect of Silibinin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles: An Experimental Study in the Psoriatic Skin Model

Objective: Psoriasis is an inflamed skin disorder associated with the activation of phosphorylation signals in keratinocytes, which leads to proliferation. Phosphorylation signal inhibitors, such as silibinin can inhibit cell proliferation. Unlike current psoriasis treatment approaches that are associated with dangerous side effects; natural components can introduce new trends in psoriasis treatment. The major problem in the topical treatment of psoriasis is drug localization through the psoriasis lesions. Methods: In this study, silibinin-loaded polymeric micelles prepared and characterized for drug loading and release and ex vivo permeation through psoriatic and normal mice skin. The optimized batch was used for the treatment of psoriasis lesions in the mice model. Results: The optimized batch demonstrated mean particle size 18.3 +/- 2.1 nm, entrapment efficiency 75.8 +/- 5.8%, and prolonged silibinin release. % Silibinin permeated through psoriatic skin after 48 treated by polymeric micelle and aqueous control was 80.35, and 92.6, respectively. Polymeric micelles increased silibinin localization in the psoriatic skin in comparison with control. In psoriatic skin after 710 days treatment by silibinin- loaded polymeric micelle, there was no evidence of psoriasis and the histological evaluation showed no sign of psoriasis. Silibinin-loaded polymeric micelles reduced Psoriasis area index by more than 78% after 14 days. Conclusion: It seems that polymeric micelles increased the effectiveness of silibinin by drug localization into the psoriatic plaque. Topical STAT- 3inhibitors can be introduced as a new strategy in psoriasis treatment.