Transdermal hydrogen therapy using cavity-embedded double-conical microneedles for MgH2 delivery demonstrates superior efficacy compared to standard topical treatments for psoriasis by simultaneously targeting oxidative stress and inflammation pathways. This minimally invasive approach significantly reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, immune cell infiltration, and keratinocyte hyperproliferation while providing a new therapeutic strategy for inflammatory skin diseases with improved safety and self-administration capability.
Plain-Language Summary
Researchers developed a new way to treat psoriasis (a chronic skin condition) by using tiny needles to deliver hydrogen-releasing powder directly into the skin. In mouse studies, this approach reduced skin inflammation and damage better than a standard psoriasis cream, by targeting two interconnected problems in psoriasis: oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and inflammation (the body's immune response gone wrong).
Abstract
Psoriasis remains clinically incurable due to its complex etiology. Topical immunosuppressive therapies offer limited effectiveness partly because of poor skin permeability, and can cause severe side effects. To address these challenges, we developed a novel transdermal hydrogen therapy that targets the mutually-reinforcing coupling between oxidative stress and inflammation in psoriasis. Specifically, we designed a double-conical microneedle with high loading capacity and effective skin penetration to efficiently deliver MgH2 powders, enabling the sustained release of molecular hydrogen within the skin tissue. This minimally invasive, self-administrable treatment significantly outperformed calcipotriol cream, a current standard topical therapy. The transdermal hydrogen therapy greatly relieved oxidative damages, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, immune cell infiltration, and ultimately mitigated keratinocyte hyperproliferation and systemic symptoms. Furthermore, the mechanistic investigations provide valuable insights into psoriasis pathogenesis. More broadly, this study demonstrates a new solution for treating inflammatory skin diseases and a new strategy for microneedle-based transdermal therapeutic delivery.
