An effort to tailor the solid dispersion loaded, surface-modified, microporous-cryogel formulation of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis.

Acitretin is the drug of choice for the treatment of psoriasis, but due to its poor solubility, the development of oral and topical formulations of acitretin has been restricted. The aim of the present investigation was to enhance the solubility of acitretin. Solid dispersions of acitretin were prepared using a lipidic solubilizer, Gelucire® 44/14. These solid dispersions were characterized through FT-IR, DSC, XRD, drug content and solubility studies. The most solubilized dispersion was loaded on an N,N-methylenebisacrylamide microporous cryogel. Physical parameters of the solubilized drug such as the porosity, rheological behaviour, surface properties, appearance, drug content and diffusion behaviour were studied. It was concluded that the solubilized form of acitretin, loaded on a surface-modified cryogel, is the best option for the treatment of psoriasis. The hydration of the skin was excellent, and the permeability of the acitretin into the skin was better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]