Acne vulgaris (acne) is one of the most common dermatological problems affecting adolescents and young adults. Although acne may not lead to serious medical complications, its psychosocial effects are tremendous and scientifically proven. The first-line treatment for acne is topical medications composed of synthetic compounds, which usually cause skin irritation, dryness and itch. Therefore, naturally occurring constituents from plants (phytochemicals), which are generally regarded as safe, have received much attention as an alternative source of treatment. However, the degradation of phytochemicals under high temperature, light and oxygen, and their poor penetration across the skin barrier limit their application in dermatology. Encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles is one of the strategies commonly used to deliver drugs and phytochemicals because it allows appropriate concentrations of these substances to be delivered to the site of action with minimal side effects. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising delivery systems developed from the combination of lipid and emulsifier. They have numerous advantages that include biocompatibility and biodegradability of lipid materials, enhancement of drug solubility and stability, ease of modulation of drug release, ease of scale-up, feasibility of incorporation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and occlusive moisturization, which make them very attractive carriers for delivery of bioactive compounds for treating skin ailments such as acne. In this review, the concepts of SLNs and NLCs, methods of preparation, characterization, and their application in the encapsulation of anti-acne phytochemicals will be discussed.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based formulations are commonly used in nasal sprays due to their gelling and viscosity-enhancing properties. However, data on in vitro studies that mimic patient use remain limited. This study investigated two commercial HPMC-based aqueous formulations and HPMC-based powder formulations to provide an understanding of the relationship between the physical properties, their performance, and the stability of nasal products. Physical properties, quality tests focused on shot mass and shot volume were assessed. The coverage area within the nasal cavity was examined at various angles of actuation (15°, 30°, 45°, and 80°) using a simulated inhalation model. The 45° spray angle exhibited the highest coverage area (%) within the nasal cavity. Devices containing liquid formulations demonstrated more reproducible shot mass and shot volume compared to dry powder preparations. These findings provide valuable insights for patients and manufacturers, leading to a better understanding of optimal usage and formulation effectiveness.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease develops from exposure of the esophagus to acidic refluxate from the stomach and duodenal bile. While a floating raft, in which calcium carbonate was the main antacid ingredient, is formed on top of the stomach fluid to provide a physical barrier against acid gastroesophageal reflux after ingesting alginate-based antacid products. Objective: This work aimed to test in vitro effectiveness of five alginate suspensions commercially available in the Thai market to understand their characteristics and behaviors in gastric conditions mimicking the human stomach. Methods: Five commercial alginate suspensions were tested under simulated gastric conditions (0.1 N HCl, 37 °C). Raft formation was assessed by recording onset time, volume, mass, and buoyancy. Raft strength was quantified using a texture analyzer with a penetration probe, while porosity was examined visually. Acid neutralization capacity (ANC) was measured by titration against 0.1 N HCl to pH 3.0, and neutralization duration was monitored over time. Correlations between raft characteristics and ANC were analyzed. Results: Rafts of products formed voluminously (64.9-83.8 mL, 39.8-46.4 g), porous and floating rafts within 0.4-6.3 min. Raft strength and neutralization duration was in the range of 13.3-29.9 g and 24-46 min, respectively. Marked differences were not evident in the acid neutralization capacity (ANC) values of the products (8.8-9.9 mEq). No correlation was observed between ANC and raft-forming capacity or duration of neutralization though raft structures could affect their neutralization profiles. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that formulation design and raw material sourcing could vary product performance. While the obtained values of in vitro effectiveness could be applied to set the specifications and characterization methods for developing new raft-forming formulations and products. Importantly, understanding raft characteristics could empower pharmacists to make informed recommendations, providing patients with improved symptom relief and management.

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Standard treatments often cause skin irritation or contribute to antibiotic resistance. Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating properties; however, its application is limited by poor solubility and stability. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of a CBD-loaded hyaluronic acid–graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogel (Hy-CBD). The biological activities of Hy-CBD, including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, were also evaluated. In addition, an exploratory clinical study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the formulation in 22 Asian participants with inflammatory acne. In this open-label, non-randomized study, participants applied the gel twice daily for seven days. Assessments of skin tolerance, lesion size, redness, and pigmentation were performed at baseline, Day 2, and Day 7 using clinical examination and imaging analysis. The Hy-CBD gel was clinically tolerated, with no evidence of comedogenic or acnegenic potential. By Day 7, inflammatory lesion size was reduced by 46%, with significant improvements in redness and post-inflammatory pigmentation. All participants reported a subjective reduction in acne severity and expressed satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that the Hy-CBD gel is a safe and promising delivery system for acne management. Nevertheless, larger randomized controlled studies are required to validate these preliminary findings.