Synthesis of vitamin D3 loaded ethosomes gel to cure chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease: physical characterization, in vitro and ex vivo studies

Abstract The purpose of the current work was to develop and characterize ethosomes of vitamin D3 gel that could more effectively work against psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Due to vitamin D3 role in proliferation and maturation of keratinocytes, it has become an important local therapeutic option in the treatment of psoriasis. In this research we have initiated worked on ethosomes gels containing vitamin D3 to treat psoriasis. Soya lecithin 1–8% (w/v), propylene glycol and ethanol were used to create the formulations, which were then tested for vesicle size, shape, surface morphology, entrapment effectiveness, and in vitro drug permeation. The drug encapsulation efficiency of ethosomes was 96.25% ± 0.3. The particle sizes of the optimized ethosomes was 148 and 657 nm, and the PDI value was 0.770 ± 0.12 along with negative charge − 14 ± 3. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) along with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies confirmed the absence of interactions between vitamin D3 and other ingredients. It was determined that the total amount of medication that penetrated the membrane was 95.34% ± 3. Percentage lysis was very negligible for all strengths which were found less than 15%. Based on our research, ethosomes appear to be safe for use. The vitamin D3 ethosomal gel order, description, pH, and viscosity were all within the specified ranges, according to the findings of a 6-month investigation into the stability profile of the completed system. In this research, we successfully prepared ethosomes loaded with vitamin D3 and then converted it into gel for patients’ easy applications.