Increasing the Percutaneous Absorption and Follicular Penetration of Retinal by Topical Application of Proretinal Nanoparticles

The study developed proretinal nanoparticles (PRN) to enhance the percutaneous absorption and follicular penetration of retinal, addressing issues of low bioavailability, chemical instability, and skin irritation associated with topical retinoids. The PRN, made from chitosan grafted with retinal, showed significant improvement in delivering retinal to the stratum corneum and hair follicles. The nanoparticles reached the infundibular area of hair follicles and released the model drug effectively within the follicles. This nanoparticle system could potentially improve the treatment of retinoid-responsive and hair follicle-associated skin conditions like acne.