Preparation of triamcinolone acetonite loaded topical formulations and investigation of effect on hypertrophic scar formation

Hypertrophic scarring is a serious therapeutic problem. The proliferation of fibroblast cells, secretion of large amounts of collagen in the dermis layer of hypertrophic scar tissues formed as a result of deep injuries and higher dermis thickness of the scar tissue than the normal skin constitute a barrier to the absorption of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. For this reason, although there are different applications for scar treatment, there is insufficient efficacy. In addition, the side effects caused by the present applications present serious problems for the patients. Triamcinolone acetonide has been studied for a long time in order to scar treatment. The aim of this study is to design effective and reliable formulations loaded with triamcinolone acetonide for hypertrophic scar treatment. For this purpose, triamcinolone acetonide loaded liposome formulations were developed. The liposome loaded film formulation was then developed using the optimum liposome formulation. Experimental design studies were performed on the basis of the determined critical parameters and the all formulations were optimized. In-vitro release studies were performed on optimum formulations. Liposome formulation was found to release the drug faster than liposome loaded film formulation. As a result of the studies to determine the release kinetic model, it was determined that the drug was released according to the Higuchi kinetic model. Ex-vivo penetration was then performed using pig ear skin. Drug released from the formulations into the receptor phase was not detected. Compared to the control group, it was found that more drug were delivered to the skin layers from the optimum formulations. The cell culture studies showed that optimum formulations effectively inhibited fibroblast cells without damaging the epithelial cells. It was also determined that various cytokines and growth factors, which showed excessive increase in scar formation, were inhibited by optimum formulations. Consequently, in this study, TA-loaded formulations were developed that are more effective and have a minimum side-effect profile compared to current applications for hypertrophic scar treatment and the efficacy of these formulations were proved in ex-vivo and in-vitro conditions. Keywords: Hypertrophic Scar, Liposome, Liposome Loaded Film, Triamcinolone Acetonide