Shield microneedles loaded with biphasic-delivery liposomes modulate skin oxidation/immunity dual-axis for psoriasis therapy
5-Aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for psoriasis owing to its non-invasiveness and high selectivity. However, clinical translation is hindered by inadequate cutaneous permeability and the paradoxical interplay between pro-apoptotic effect and oxidative stress. Therefore, this study develops biphasic delivery liposome loaded with 5-ALA and ginsenoside Rg3, and designs hydrogel-backed shield microneedles (SMNs) inspired by shield tunneling principles to achieve efficient delivery. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrates that the biphasic delivery liposome harnesses Rg3 to activate the SOD/CAT antioxidant enzyme system, thereby scavenging excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by 5-ALA-PDT. Incorporation of this liposome into shield microneedles disrupts the psoriatic-thickened stratum corneum barrier and enhances its cutaneous permeation. In an imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis, the microneedle system ameliorates skin lesions and restores immune homeostasis by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, modulating splenic Th17 cell differentiation, and down-regulating serum IL-17A levels. Importantly, this regulatory effect on key inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and TNF-α, is further validated using an <i>in vitro</i> psoriasis-like cell model. The biphasic delivery liposome-shield microneedle system synergistically enhances photodynamic efficacy through oxidative homeostasis restoration, immune-inflammatory network modulation, and transdermal permeabilization, establishing a novel combinatorial approach for psoriasis management.
Authors
- Wenbin Tuo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3764-8981)
- Yan Qu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7065-2229)
- Qiaolin Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2987-1881)
- Wen Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0398-591X)
- Xiaoli Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6104-8687)
- Yang Qin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5764-8137)
- Peng Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8265-4072)
- Jun Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3919-2962)
- Yanan He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0756-4306)
- Rui Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9696-0027)
- Yuchun Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0099-0887)
- Siwei Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1295-9805)
- Ya Tian
Institutions
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Materials Today Bio
- Published
- 2025-10-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102396
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.58