Compound betamethasone combined with 595 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) is widely used in the clinical management of hypertrophic scars. However, the mechanisms underlying this enhanced effect remain poorly understood. This study evaluated its therapeutic efficacy and investigated whether induction of autophagy in myofibroblasts is associated with scar improvement. A rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model was established and divided into control, compound betamethasone injection (BI), PDL, and combined (BI + PDL) groups. Scar morphology and histological changes were assessed. Autophagy was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemical detection of LC3B and p62. In vitro, hypertrophic scar-derived myofibroblasts were treated with betamethasone dipropionate (BD), PDL, or their combination (BD + PDL). Cell viability, collagen expression, and autophagic activity were analyzed using CCK-8 assays, Western blotting, MDC staining, immunofluorescence, and TEM. Chloroquine was used to assess autophagic flux. The combined BI + PDL treatment produced the most pronounced improvement in scar architecture, with reduced collagen deposition, decreased microvessel density, and increased number of apoptotic cells. Autophagy levels were significantly elevated in the combination group both in vivo and in vitro. In cultured myofibroblasts, BD + PDL markedly inhibited cell viability and reduced type I and type III collagen expression. This effect was accompanied by increased autophagosome formation, an elevated LC3II/LC3I ratio, and decreased p62 expression. Importantly, inhibition of autophagic flux with chloroquine attenuated the collagen-suppressive effect of the combined treatment. Compound betamethasone combined with 595 nm PDL significantly improves hypertrophic scars, an effect associated with enhanced autophagic activity in myofibroblasts which may partly mediate collagen degradation.

Betamethasone dipropionate is a topical corticosteroid widely used to treat common dermatoses and skin disorders. However, the poor skin penetration of traditional betamethasone dipropionate formulations can impair therapeutic outcomes. In the present study, betamethasone dipropionate was formulated in phospholipid vesicles to maximise its benefits and minimise its side effects. Liposomes and transfersomes were developed using the direct sonication method and thoroughly characterised by light scattering, cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), rheological analysis and skin permeation studies. Human skin epithelial-like cells were used to study how the phospholipid vesicles affected cell proliferation and morphology. Both the liposomes and transfersomes were nanosized, spherical and predominantly unilamellar, but the transfersomes were smaller, more homogeneous and stable on storage due to the presence of Tween® 80. The latter was also responsible for a higher viscosity, which decreased at 32 °C, the temperature of the skin surface, as determined by rheological analysis. Furthermore, tests of the formulations in skin cells showed the absence of cytotoxicity and increased skin permeation. Phospholipid vesicles represent a promising approach for betamethasone dipropionate delivery, as they are characterised by high stability and cytocompatibility. These properties may improve the therapeutic outcomes and minimise the side effects of betamethasone dipropionate, encouraging further investigation to confirm the effective and safe use of betamethasone dipropionate nanoformulations on the skin.

To assess the effectiveness, safety, and quality of life in patients who received topical calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate (C/BD) foam added to oral deucravacitinib for treating moderate to severe, chronic plaque psoriasis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory skin disease, has persisted as a global burden for decades. The existing therapy lacks multitargeted formulations, is ineffective, and bears adverse effects. Consequently, it offers limited relief from pruritus and inflammation, impacting both the patients' quality of life as well as health care systems. We hypothesize that localized therapy comprising natural emollients offers better therapeutic outcome and superior acceptability. Herewith, we propose the novel hydrogel formulations for multipurpose treatment that utilizes lipid nanoparticles with model drug betamethasone dipropionate (BMS), that are incorporated in gel formulation comprising a natural emollient, coconut oil. BMS-solid lipid nanoparticles (BMS-SLNs), optimized for size and drug load, were embedded in three different hydrogels, all comprising coconut oil as an emollient. Chitosan, alginate, and carbomer were selected as hydrogel-forming material. The nanocarriers-in-hydrogel formulations were evaluated through BMS permeation in human skin as well as their physicochemical properties including viscosity, stability, texture, rheology and pH. Preliminary in vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated that all hydrogel formulations prolonged BMS release up to 24 h. All formulations were found to be safe as confirmed by in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The novel nanocarrier-in-hydrogel formulations hold promise as an effective therapeutic strategy for AD management.

Plaque-type psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease of uncertain etiology, significantly impacting patient well-being. This chronic condition not only contributes to stigmatization and mental health challenges but also poses an independent risk for cardiovascular and other comorbid diseases. Affecting approximately 60 million people globally, psoriasis manifests primarily as mild-to-moderate disease in about 80% of cases, where topical therapy is pivotal. The most commonly used topical antipsoriatic therapy involves a combination of vitamin D3 analog (calcipotriene - Cal) and a synthetic potent corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate - BD). Various formulations of Cal/BD, including ointment, gel (topical suspension), and aerosol foam, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The cream based on the PAD (Polyaphron Dispersion) technology is another formulation of this combination drug, expanding the therapeutic options for patients with psoriasis. This article summarizes the most relevant published studies concerning the efficacy and safety of different calcipotriol and betamethasone formulations treating of plaque-type psoriasis in patients aged 12 or older.

Treating psoriasis presents a major clinical challenge because of the limitations associated with traditional topical glucocorticoid therapy. This study introduced a drug delivery system utilizing zinc-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Zn-MSN) and microneedle (MN), designed to enhance drug utilization for prolonged anti-inflammatory and anti-itch effects. The MN system facilitated the transdermal delivery of betamethasone dipropionate (BD), allowing its slow release. The BD@Zn-MSN-MN system promoted the polarization of macrophages towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, achieving superior anti-inflammatory effects compared to the clinically used BD cream. Additionally, this study demonstrated that BD@Zn-MSN-MN could further alleviate itching in psoriasis-afflicted mice by decreasing the excitability of the transient receptor potential vanilloid V1 (TRPV1) ion channel positive neurons and reducing the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). These findings offer new insights and effective therapeutic options for the future design of transdermal drug delivery for psoriasis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of using microneedle patches in addition to topical therapy for the treatment of psoriasis. Using continuous liquid interface production (CLIP) 3D printing we manufactured round microneedle array patches (MAPs) with a diameter of 14 mm. Needle geometries were varied from square pyramidal, conical, and obelisk, with varied needle lengths of 400 µm, 600 µm, 800 µm, or 1000 µm. MAPs were characterized for force to fracture, skin penetration, skin damage, as well as their ability to deliver a novel oleogel-based corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate (BDP) formulation into ex-vivo porcine skin. We found that the obelisk shaped MAPs are more durable compared to the conical and square pyramidal-shaped MAPs. When the obelisk shaped MAPs were used in combination with the oleogel-based BDP formulation, the amount of BDP penetrating the skin was significantly increased with greater needle lengths.

The combined use of topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BDP) is commonly used and demonstrated to be effective for the management of psoriasis and is shown to confer local anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. The use of the two agents in combination is synergistic. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of topically applied combination Cal/BDP, successful management of a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease such as psoriasis in the real-world setting may be hindered if patients do not adhere to the dosing or frequency of application recommendations from their prescriber. Patient preference for and satisfaction with the topical treatment vehicle have been shown to influence adherence. A recent analysis has determined that patients perceived Cal/BDP cream vehicle with PAD technology as having favorable characteristics. This randomized, split-body study was undertaken to further assess patient satisfaction with Cal/BDP cream and Cal/BDP foam formulations.