In Vivo Evaluation of Cromolyn Sodium Topical Gels for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Additional Authors

Zach Kennedy, College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Kaylee Duff Rasnake, College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Caleb Miller, College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Alexander Harrill, College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Alanis Vang, College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Abstract

Cromolyn sodium (CS) is a mast cell stabilizer used for asthma and mastocytosis, with potential for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Despite clinical support for its efficacy in AD, no commercial CS formulations are available. This study assessed the efficacy of a formulated CS gel for AD through in vivo testing in a mice model, comparing it to a topical corticosteroid. Two 4% CS gels were formulated using sodium oleate and sodium caprylate as enhancers. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (1.5%) was the gelling agent, and propylene glycol served as the base. In vitro permeation studies (24 h, porcine ear skin, 37°C) showed that CS oleate gel had superior permeation and skin retention, leading to its selection for in vivo testing. The 3-week in vivo study involved four groups of six mice treated to a 4 cm2 area. Atopic dermatitis was induced using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), after which the positive control received dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, twice daily), and the treatment group received CS gel (100 mg/cm2, twice daily). Internal and negative controls received no treatment post-induction. The scoring was performed visually using SCORAD, a clinical tool used to assess the extent and severity of eczema, and the scab size was measured using a ruler. After two weeks of treatment, the CS oleate group showed the highest scab reduction (78.48% ± 25.00%) with 100% healing in 2 mice, followed by the DNCB group (53.95% ± 19.31%), and the dexamethasone group (33.05% ± 13.99%). Oleate was significantly more effective than dexamethasone (p<0.05), while DNCB showed an intermediate, non-significant effect compared to both groups (p>0.05). The dexamethasone group exhibited skin atrophy, lesions, hair loss, and significant weight loss. Overall, the CS oleate gel proved to be a more effective and safer treatment for AD than dexamethasone, offering significant healing with fewer adverse effects in the tested animal model.

Start Time

16-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 11:30 AM

Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Category

Health

Student Type

Clinical Doctoral Student (e.g., medical student, pharmacy student)

Faculty Mentor

Ashana Puri

Faculty Department

Pharmaceutical Sciences

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 11:30 AM

In Vivo Evaluation of Cromolyn Sodium Topical Gels for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Cromolyn sodium (CS) is a mast cell stabilizer used for asthma and mastocytosis, with potential for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Despite clinical support for its efficacy in AD, no commercial CS formulations are available. This study assessed the efficacy of a formulated CS gel for AD through in vivo testing in a mice model, comparing it to a topical corticosteroid. Two 4% CS gels were formulated using sodium oleate and sodium caprylate as enhancers. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (1.5%) was the gelling agent, and propylene glycol served as the base. In vitro permeation studies (24 h, porcine ear skin, 37°C) showed that CS oleate gel had superior permeation and skin retention, leading to its selection for in vivo testing. The 3-week in vivo study involved four groups of six mice treated to a 4 cm2 area. Atopic dermatitis was induced using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), after which the positive control received dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, twice daily), and the treatment group received CS gel (100 mg/cm2, twice daily). Internal and negative controls received no treatment post-induction. The scoring was performed visually using SCORAD, a clinical tool used to assess the extent and severity of eczema, and the scab size was measured using a ruler. After two weeks of treatment, the CS oleate group showed the highest scab reduction (78.48% ± 25.00%) with 100% healing in 2 mice, followed by the DNCB group (53.95% ± 19.31%), and the dexamethasone group (33.05% ± 13.99%). Oleate was significantly more effective than dexamethasone (p<0.05), while DNCB showed an intermediate, non-significant effect compared to both groups (p>0.05). The dexamethasone group exhibited skin atrophy, lesions, hair loss, and significant weight loss. Overall, the CS oleate gel proved to be a more effective and safer treatment for AD than dexamethasone, offering significant healing with fewer adverse effects in the tested animal model.