DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL LIPOSOMAL HERBAL NANOCARRIER OF BOSWELLIA SERRATA: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION FOR PSORIASIS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder characterised by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and excessive production of inflammatory cytokines. Although several conventional therapies are available, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects and limited therapeutic efficacy. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel liposomal herbal nanocarrier containing Boswellia serrata extract for improved anti-psoriatic activity. Liposomes were prepared using ethanol injection and reverse-phase evaporation techniques employing different lipid compositions. Preformulation studies, including physicochemical characterization, GC-MS analysis, and RP-HPLC method development and validation for quantification of 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) were performed according to ICH guidelines. The formulated liposomes were evaluated for drug loading, entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, and stability characteristics. Among the developed formulations, optimized liposomes exhibited high entrapment efficiency (89.31%), desirable drug loading, nanosized particle distribution (69.4–203.1 nm), and good zeta potential indicating enhanced stability. In vivo anti-psoriatic activity was assessed using an oxazolone-induced psoriasis model, where Boswellia serrata liposomes significantly reduced ear thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, and epidermal hyperplasia compared with the extract alone. Furthermore, in vitro cytokine studies using RAW 264.7 cells demonstrated suppression of pro-inflammatory IL-23 and enhancement of anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels. The findings suggest that the developed Boswellia serrata liposomal nanocarrier possesses promising anti-inflammatory and anti-psoriatic potential with improved therapeutic efficacy and may serve as an effective herbal nanomedicine for psoriasis management.