LAUSR

Palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) is a commonly reported skin toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents that significantly affects patients' quality of life. PPE is described as inflammation, swelling, and even cracks and ulcers in the skin of palms and soles of the feet. Conventional treatment includes topical creams, analgesics, or corticosteroids. However, serious cases are not responding to these medications. PPE has been reported to cause drug cessation or dose reduction if not properly treated. Sildenafil citrate (SC) has a well-documented activity in wound healing through improving blood supply to the affected area. However, SC has poor physicochemical properties limiting its transdermal permeation and deposition. This research endeavored to elaborate novel vesicular system with natural components, phospholipids and oleic acid, loaded with sildenafil citrate for topical management of PPE. Sildenafil-loaded oleosomes were prepared using modified ethanol injection method. Optimized oleosomes had nanometric particle size (157.6 nm), negative zeta potential (- 85.2 mv), and high entrapment efficiency (95.56%). Ex vivo studies on human skin revealed that oleosomes displayed 2.3-folds higher permeation and 4.5-folds more deposition through the human skin compared to drug suspension. Results endorsed SC oleosomes as suitable topical treatment of PPE providing ameliorated sildenafil permeability in addition to acting as a reservoir for gradual release of the drug. Graphical abstract.