CHARACTERIZATION APPROACHES IN TOPICAL CLOFAZIMINE FORMULATION FOR PSORIASIS: AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that demands innovative and effective topical therapies to manage symptoms and improve patient quality of life. Clofazimine, historically used for its antimycobacterial properties, has recently gained attention for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential in dermatological applications. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of the formulation and characterization of topical clofazimine for psoriasis treatment. It explores critical physicochemical parameters such as particle size, solubility, and dissolution behavior, which influence skin penetration and bioavailability. The stability of clofazimine formulations is discussed in the context of environmental stressors, including pH, temperature, and photodegradation. Emphasis is placed on advanced analytical techniques-such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and electron microscopy-that are essential for assessing formulation integrity, purity, and performance. Additionally, emerging drug delivery systems, including nanotechnology-based carriers, liposomes, and gels, are examined for their ability to enhance clofazimine delivery and therapeutic efficacy. The review also provides comparative insights with existing topical treatments for psoriasis, reinforcing the clinical potential of clofazimine-based formulations. Future research directions include the development of personalized delivery systems and the execution of well-designed clinical trials to validate efficacy and safety. This analysis underscores clofazimine’s promise as a targeted and effective treatment modality in the evolving landscape of psoriasis management.