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