Bożena Karolewicz

Background/Objectives: The development of novel formulations that could have beneficial properties combined with dermatological procedures such as microneedling remains a challenge. The group of patients that could benefit from such a novel protocol is large and includes patients with acne scars. Both topical retinyl palmitate and the microneedling procedure have strong fibroblast-stimulating properties. Methods: In the study 5% w/w retinyl palmitate-loaded nanoemulsions and oleogel were prepared and examined to obtain formulations that meet criteria eligible for formulations combined with microneedling. All formulations were designed for aseptic preparation. Multiple nanoemulsion compositions were tested to select the optimal one. The selected 5% w/w retinyl palmitate-loaded nanoemulsion and oleogel were tested. Results: While retinyl palmitate-loaded oleogel met proper pharmacopeial norms for drug content and stability, the retinyl palmitate-loaded nanoemulsion, even though it demonstrated adequate physical parameters, maintained active substance losses during the manufacturing process above required limits. Conclusions: The retinyl palmitate-loaded nanoemulsion and oleogel remain promising formulations that could potentially be combined with microneedling. Considering its high sensitivity to manufacturing conditions, preparation of the retinyl palmitate-loaded nanoemulsion still remains a challenge.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease requiring effective long-term systemic treatment. Current options, including using conventional small molecules and biological therapies, are limited by adverse events, suboptimal efficacy, or poor adherence due to inconvenient administration. This highlights an unmet need for safe, convenient, and effective oral self-administered dosage form therapies aligned with patient preferences. This review evaluates the mechanism, safety, and efficacy of next-generation tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors and compares them to currently available therapeutic options. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is driven by chronic systemic inflammation mediated by the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/Th17/interleukin-17 (IL-17) axis. Selective TYK2 inhibitors, such as deucravacitinib, envudeucitinib, and zasocitinib, act through a unique allosteric mechanism by binding to the regulatory pseudokinase domain (JH2) rather than the enzyme’s catalytic domain. This enables highly selective suppression of IL-23-mediated inflammation while mitigating systemic toxicity seen with nonselective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Clinical trials (POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2) and long-term extension studies demonstrate that deucravacitinib provides superior efficacy compared to the first-generation oral small molecule apremilast, with high and sustained response rates. It maintains durable efficacy for up to four years in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and shows a stable long-term safety profile, with low incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), venous thromboembolism (VTE), serious infections, and malignancies. Selective TYK2 inhibition bridges the therapeutic gap, providing an optimal balance of efficacy and oral convenience. With the potential to improve patient adherence and quality of life, these agents represent a promising option to become a first-line oral systemic therapy for psoriasis.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory condition of mucous membranes with an immunological basis. To date, no standardized treatment protocol has been established. Another complicating factor in clinical research is the assessment of disease activity and treatment efficacy. Fractal dimension analysis offers an objective method for evaluating mucosal irregularities, making it well suited for assessing OLP lesion morphology and treatment outcomes. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue as a photosensitizer and topical clobetasol therapy in the treatment of OLP. Fractal dimension analysis of oral mucosa images under white light and 405 + 450 nm light was used as an objective method of treatment evaluation. The use of autofluorescence at 405 + 450 nm enabled the detection of subtle differences in the pattern of the healed mucosa as compared to the reference mucosa, which were not visible during conventional white-light examination. Both treatment methods (topical clobetasol and PDT using methylene blue) demonstrated comparable efficacy in treating OLP. The use of autofluorescence at 405 + 450 nm is an objective method of assessing healing, more accurate than observations under white light.

Background/Objectives: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a common oral condition in older women and is characterized by a multifactorial etiology. To date, no standardized treatment strategy has been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical application of capsaicin (0.025 mg/cm²) in the form of a mucoadhesive bilayer polymer reducing burning sensations in BMS. The study assessed levels of depression, sleep disturbances, and quality of life. Material and Methods: The proof-of-concept study included 29 patients with symptoms of BMS. The peripheral origin of BMS was confirmed by lingual nerve block. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Depression, sleep disturbances, and quality of life were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL). Results: A reduction in pain was observed in over 86% patients. Decrease in burning at treatment sites was recorded immediately after treatment and also at the 3-month follow-up. Gender, taste disturbances, depression, and age were found to have a significant effect on final NRS-11 scores. Conclusions: Significant reduction in pain intensity was achieved in nearly all treated patients, with adverse effects being rare.

Opracowana aplikacja webowa LekRaport jest narzędziem umożliwiającym dokumentowanie przez farmaceutów prowadzonych konsultacji i przeglądów lekowych oraz badań diagnostycznych. Konstrukcja narzędzia pozwala na zebranie niezbędnych informacji dotyczących stanu zdrowia pacjenta, stosowanych leków i innych produktów zdrowotnych, a także na dokumentowanie wizyt i generowanie raportów dla pacjenta i lekarza. Analiza danych zebranych przez farmaceutę w trakcie wywiadu, pozwala na identyfikację problemów lekowych związanych z farmakoterapią, a także potrzeb edukacyjnych i na dostrzeżenie niesubordynacji pacjenta wobec zaleceń lekarskich lub zjawiska braku adherencji. Dzięki temu możliwa będzie identyfikacja zmieniających się potrzeb pacjentów w zakresie farmakoterapii, identyfikacja problemów i ocena wiedzy pacjentów na temat stosowanych leków i przestrzegania zaleceń terapeutycznych. Przygotowane narzędzie pozwala na sprawne rejestrowanie wizyt pacjenta, umożliwia zebranie i analizę niezbędnych informacji, co usprawnia świadczenie usług farmaceutycznych, tak aby ocenić ich jakość i wnioskować nad ich dalszym rozwojem. Kompleksowe zarządzanie danymi pacjenta z wykorzystaniem narzędzi webowych ma na celu wsparcie farmaceutów w rozwijaniu i realizacji opieki farmaceutycznej, a także ułatwienie identyfikacji potrzeb dokumentacyjnych w kontekście wdrażania prototypowych rozwiązań e-dokumentacji. Proponowane rozwiązanie, które aktualnie poddawane jest kolejnym etapom testów wdrożeniowych na Uniwersytecie Medycznym we Wrocławiu, docelowo ma wspierać systemowe działania usprawniające opiekę nad pacjentem oraz umożliwić oszacowanie potrzeb w zakresie usług farmaceutycznych w ramach ekosystemu ochrony zdrowia. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This study aimed to develop and optimize polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based polymeric films containing resveratrol (RSV) and to evaluate their applicability as oral mucosal wound dressings. Given the dynamic and complex nature of the oral environment, physicochemical parameters such as elasticity, mucoadhesive strength, and the release profile of the RSV were systematically investigated. The therapeutic performance of pure resveratrol was compared with that of an extract derived from Reynoutria japonica. Films were fabricated using a solvent casting method and characterized in terms of thickness uniformity, weight, color consistency, and flexibility, all of which met the required pharmaceutical criteria. Two tested formulations, FR2 (RSV/PVA/PVP/MCA15C/NaCMC/W/PGE), FE2 (extract/PVA/PVP/MCA15C/NaCMC/W/PGE), showed the best mucoadhesive properties (261.11 ± 0.5 g for FR2 and 299.43 ± 0.38 g for FE2) and a favorable release profile both in water (72.42% for FR2, 77.23% for FE2) and in saliva (49.74% for FR2, 49.70% for FE2). Moreover, the optimized films are characterized by hydrophilicity (contact angle < 90°) and the pH value of the extract after their blurring is close to physiological, which promotes better tolerance and reduces the risk of irritation. Obtained results for polymeric films with resveratrol and R. japonica extract confirmed their great potential for use in dentistry as modern, mucoadhesive dressings, improving the effectiveness of local therapies.

Background: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and topical clobetasol therapy in treating oral lichen planus (OLP). To address the absence of commercially available drug carriers, innovative proprietary solutions were developed. These carriers were designed to enhance the therapies: one for the photosensitizer to reduce its contact time with the mucosa, and another for the steroid to prolong its contact duration. Methods: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial lasting three months was conducted on 29 patients with bilateral oral lichen planus using a full contralateral split-mouth design. The authors utilized proprietary carriers containing 5% methylene blue and 0.025%. Lesion size, as well as scores on the Thongprasom, Abisis, and VASs, were assessed during the study. Results: Relatively low rates of complete remission of lichen were demonstrated immediately after treatment, 10.3% after PDT and 3.4% after clobetasol, but after 3 months, 79% after PDT, and 62% after CLO. After 3 months of treatment, a reduction of 79.88% for PDT and 56.3% for CLO in the area of the evaluated lesions was achieved. Conclusions: PDT emerges as an equally effective method for treating OLP in terms of clinical outcomes, with the added advantage of avoiding many complications associated with conventional therapy.

Introduction: The official implementation of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis raw materials for medicinal use has permitted doctors to prescribe and pharmacists to prepare cannabis-based formulations. The objective of the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing process optimization work was to propose a suppository formulation containing doses of 25 mg and 50 mg of tetra-hydrocannabinol (∆-9-THC) as an alternative to existing inhalable or orally administered formulations. The formulation could be used for rectal or vaginal administration, thereby providing dosage control in the treatment of endometriosis and other conditions involving pain. In this study, two substrates from suppositories with standardized Cannabis extractum normatum (CEX) were used: cocoa butter and Witepsol^® H15. Materials and Methods: The long-term stability of CEX was investigated over a period of up to 24 months. The concentrations of ∆-9-THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) were determined using an HPLC method. Furthermore, the water content of the extract, the ethanol residue, and the microbiological purity were determined. The pharmaceutical properties of CEX-incorporated suppositories, namely content uniformity, hardness, softening time, total deformation time, disintegration time, and the release profile of ∆-9-THC, CBD, and CBN, were evaluated in order to develop optimal preparation procedures for pharmacists. Results and Discussion: Following a 24-month stability study on CEX, no significant alterations in component content were observed beyond the specified requirements. The disintegration time, total deformation time, and hardness of the suppositories based on Witepsol^® H15 with CEX were found to be longer and higher, respectively, than those of suppositories formulated with cocoa butter. In vitro studies demonstrated that suppositories prepared with Witepsol^® H15 exhibited superior release of ∆-9-THC compared to those prepared with cocoa butter. Conclusions: We suggest that pharmacists making prescription drugs in a pharmacy setting in the form of medical marijuana suppositories will receive a better release profile of the drug by choosing Witepsol® H15 as a substrate.