Sensory properties analysis of a calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate cream vehicle formulated with an innovative PAD Technology for the treatment of plaque psoriasis on the skin and scalp

Abstract

Background In psoriasis, poor treatment adherence is frequently related to low efficacy and limited cosmetic acceptability from the patients’ perspective. This study aimed to characterize the sensorial attributes of a calcipotriol (CAL) and betamethasone dipropionate (BDP)-cream vehicle based on polyaphron dispersion (PAD) Technology and to compare them with the conventional ointment and oleogel formulations for psoriasis. Methods A panel of 16 experts assessed sensory properties at four different stages: appearance, pick up, rub out and afterfeel. Descriptive sensory analysis was used to evaluate relevant attributes. Each attribute was rated on a line scale (range 0–100%). Active ingredients were not used because panellists were healthy volunteers, and vehicle formulations needed to be used instead. Results CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle was evaluated as having a low stickiness, low grease behaviour, good wetness, and good spreadability. Ointment showed the least desirable behaviour regarding these properties. Moreover, once CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle was absorbed, the gloss disappeared quickly, leaving low stickiness and a low amount of residue. This afterfeel behaviour was not observed with ointment. The oleogel formulation had good sensory properties, similar to CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle, but with lower integrity of shape, lower wetness and higher greasiness. Conclusion Overall, CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle has the desirable requirements for a topical product for the treatment of psoriasis, with better sensory properties than ointment and easier manipulation than oleogel, which may lead to greater acceptance and adherence.

Calcipotriol and Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream Based on PAD Technology for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: A Narrative Review

“…The good convenience and treatment satisfaction obtained with CAL/BDP PAD-cream may be explained by its good sensory attributes. In a sensorial analysis, the CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle, which had the exact same properties as CAL/BDP PAD-cream, showed low stickiness, low greasiness, good spreadability and once the CAL/BDP PAD-cream vehicle was absorbed, the gloss disappeared quickly, leaving low stickiness and a low amount of residue [ 13 ]. These attributes correspond to the ones generally preferred by patients for topical psoriasis treatments [ 28 ].…”

“…A recent study characterized the sensorial attributes of a formulation based on the PAD Technology but without active ingredients, the PAD-cream vehicle, and compared it with conventional formulations for psoriasis, such as an ointment and an oleogel product. The vehicle formulation based on the PAD Technology showed the desirable requirements for a topical product for the treatment of psoriasis, with an easier manipulation than oleogel and better sensory properties than ointment [ 13 ].…”