title: Topical treatment in vitiligo and the potential uses of new drug delivery systems.
abstract: Vitiligo is a psychologically devastating condition. Topical therapy is employed as first-line treatment in localized vitiligo. Currently, several topical agents are available in many forms viz. methoxsalen (solution and cream), trioxsalen (solution), corticosteroids (gel, cream, ointment and solution) and calcineurin inhibitors (ointment and cream). Although topical therapy has an important position in vitiligo treatment, side-effects or poor efficacy affect their utility and patient compliance. Novel drug delivery strategies can play a pivotal role in improving the topical delivery of various drugs by enhancing their epidermal localization with a concomitant reduction in their side-effects and improving their effectiveness. The current review emphasizes the potential of various phospholipid based carriers viz. liposomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, lipid emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles and organogels in optimizing and enhancing the topical delivery of anti-vitiligo agents, whilst reducing the side effects of drugs commonly used in its topical treatment.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical, Sciences-UGC Center of Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Bhawna Jain
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Abir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saraswat
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Om Prakash
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Katare
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D009824:Ointments