Fardin Khajepour
1 
, Mehdi Ranjbar
2, Merat Mahmoodi
3, Nasrin Bazargan
4, Fatemeh Mohammadi Henjeroei
1, Muhammad Hossein Ashoub
5, Reza Nosratabadi
6,3 1 Student Research Committee, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
2 Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
3 Department of Medical Immunology, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
4 Department of Pediatrics, Afzalipour Medical Center, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
5 Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
6 Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Purpose: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin, resulting from immune dysregulation and inflammasome activation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a topical formulation of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanostructures loaded with royal jelly (RJ) for its therapeutic effects on AD in a mouse model. Methods: LDH nanostructures were synthesized, and characterized by nanoparticle specific tests. The RJ-loaded nanostructures were incorporated into a carbomer-based gel, and sustained release of RJ was measured using a Franz diffusion cell. AD was induced in female BALB/c mice using 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD. The mice were then divided into six groups: control, Free-RJ (100 mg/kg), Free-LDH, and RJ-loaded LDH at different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Results: Treatment with RJ-loaded LDH nanostructures significantly diminished the expression of inflammasome-related genes (NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in spleen cells in a dose-dependent manner. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and IgE were also significantly decreased, and histopathological analysis revealed reduced epidermal thickening and inflammation in the treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that RJ-loaded LDH nanostructures enhance RJ's anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, offering a promising topical therapeutic strategy for AD management.