Formulation Development and Optimisation of Quercetin Loaded Proniosomes- A Novel Herbal Drug Delivery System for Psoriasis Management

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory skin disorder marked by immunological dysregulation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Although quercetin, a natural flavonoid, has demonstrated strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its clinical utility is hindered by poor water solubility and limited skin permeability. This study aimed to develop and optimize a Proniosomes delivery system to enhance the dermal delivery of quercetin for effective psoriasis management. Methods: The thin-film hydration method was utilized for the preparation of niosomes loaded with Quercetin, using varying concentrations of cholesterol, Span 60, and soya lecithin. Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize key formulation parameters, targeting minimized particle size, enhanced zeta potential, and maximized drug release. The optimized formulation was characterized for entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size, in-vitro drug release, ex-vivo skin permeation, and FTIR compatibility studies. Results: FTIR analysis confirmed the absence of significant drug-excipient interactions. The optimal region was identified which demonstrated high drug release (87%), favorable particle size (275 nm), and excellent zeta potential (-39 mV). The percent entrapment efficiency (% EE) of the optimized formulation was found to be 70.79±5.63%, indicating the preparation method of Proniosomes is good and has the potential for scalability. The study highlights the importance of surfactant concentration in controlling drug release and the need for further optimization in the formulation. In-vitro studies demonstrated an efficient and excellent sustained release formulation profile, reaching nearly ~100% over 24 hours, compared to <20% from pure quercetin. Conclusion: Quercetin-loaded Proniosomes effectively enhanced the solubility, stability, and skin penetration of the drug, supporting their potential as a scalable and effective transdermal delivery system for herbal therapy in psoriasis. Further in-vivo studies over the developed nano carrier as Proniosomes are warranted to establish therapeutic efficacy and safety in clinical settings.