Therapeutic potential of hyaluronic acid: Advanced drug delivery applications with an especial emphasis on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that constitutes a major component of the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM). Owing to its unique physicochemical and biological properties, HA has garnered significant interest as a versatile carrier for drug delivery systems derived from multifunctional biomaterials, particularly for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. HA exhibits excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making it suitable for both topical and transdermal therapeutic applications. In addition to its function as a delivery vehicle, HA actively participates in key biological processes, including immune regulation, tissue repair, and maintenance of cutaneous hydration. Among HA-based delivery platforms, hydrogels have emerged as especially promising candidates. HA hydrogels enhance drug stability and enable sustained and controlled release, whereas their porous architecture facilitates targeted and localized drug delivery. HA can be chemically modified or conjugated with specific ligands to enable selective binding to target cells or tissues. These hydrogel systems not only improve therapeutic efficacy by minimizing systemic exposure but also support tissue regeneration. Despite these advantages, the development of HA-based hydrogels faces several challenges, including formulation stability and scalability. HA-based drug delivery systems represent promising and largely unexplored strategies for the development of novel, effective, safe, and patient-centered therapies for inflammatory skin conditions.