Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a patch for a simpler and more effective treatment of psoriasis. The method can also be used in the treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases.

Four to five percent of the Danish population has psoriasiswhich is one of the most common skin conditions in the world. The inflammatory disease is characterized by a red rash with white scales, which can vary in shape, size and severity.

Today, there are several treatment options for patients with psoriasis. Creams and ointments are among the most common. The problem is that the cream has to be applied several times a day and leaves the skin feeling oily. Therefore, some patients do not use it regularly, which is vital for the success of the treatment.

Now, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have produced a prototype for a patch this may help resolve this issue.

“We have developed a dry patch that contains active ingredients for the treatment of psoriasis and reduces the frequency of use to once a day. It has the potential to make treatment more comfortable for psoriasis patients,” explains Associate Professor Andrea Heinz of the Institute. Department of Pharmacy, who is the corresponding author on a series of articles exploring the patch’s ability to treat psoriasis.

The studies are titled “Electrospun Dressings with Dual Release Functionality of Two Anti-Inflammatory Active Ingredients.” published In RSC Pharmaceutical and “Electrospun Fiber Patches for Inflammatory Skin Diseases – Correlation of In Vitro Drug Release with Ex Vivo Permeation” published In Advances in biomaterials.

A patch fulfilling several functions

The patch is designed to contain two active ingredients at once and release them to the skin at different rates.

“This is really clever, because treating psoriasis often requires more than one product. The two ingredients are released in a controlled manner and at different rates, because they perform different functions: salicylic acid is released immediately to eliminate THE dead cells which have accumulated on the skin, while hydrocortisone reduces skin inflammation, a process which takes longer,” explains Anna-Lena Gürtler, first author of the studies.

“We tested the prototype on pig skin and human skin cells and compared the results to creams and ointments available in pharmacies. Our studies show that the patch is just as effective as standard treatments.”

Potential to treat other conditions

The researchers used electrospinning to produce the patch, a method by which a high voltage is applied to a polymer solution to produce synthetic nanofibers. The fibers are then used to make a fiber mattress that can be attached to the skin like a bandage.

Researchers are still working on the patch. More research, product development And clinical trials are required before the method is ready for use.

However, according to Andrea Heinz, its potential goes beyond the treatment of psoriasis: “A patch containing active ingredients can be an alternative to creams and ointments in the treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases, for example eczema atopic. It can also be useful. related to wound healing.