FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF QUERCETIN PHYTOSOME-INFUSED HYDROGEL FOR ENHANCED SKIN PENETRATION IN PSORIASIS MANAGEMENT

Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease requiring effective topical treatments with enhanced skin penetration and sustained therapeutic effect. This study aimed to formulate and characterize a Quercetin phytosome-infused hydrogel to improve quercetin's bioavailability and skin retention for psoriasis management. Quercetin phytosomes were prepared via the anti-solvent precipitation method, yielding nanosized particles (400–500 nm) with a narrow distribution (PDI < 0.4) and high entrapment efficiency (>80%). Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed strong interactions between quercetin and phospholipids, indicating successful complex formation. The Phytosomes were incorporated into hydrogels using Carbopol 934 or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as gel matrices. The formulated hydrogel demonstrated increased viscosity and maintained favorable physicochemical stability over one month. In vitro release studies using rat skin showed that quercetin release and skin deposition from the phytosome-infused hydrogel were significantly enhanced, with a more than threefold increase in release rate and over sixfold higher skin retention compared to conventional quercetin gel. These findings suggest that quercetin phytosome hydrogels hold promise for improving topical delivery and therapeutic efficacy in psoriasis treatment by overcoming quercetin’s limited skin penetration and bioavailability. This formulation offers a potential non-invasive strategy for enhanced psoriasis management.