Advanced hydrogel-based drug delivery systems for psoriasis management: From material design to multi-target therapies.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by the interplay of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Hydrogels, featuring excellent biocompatibility and tunable structures, have emerged as pivotal platforms for topical psoriasis management. Although existing studies have explored hydrogel drug delivery and sustained release, they often remain confined to single-target interventions or basic formulations. This review updates recent advances by elucidating intervention mechanisms from the pathological microenvironment. We highlight synergistic strategies using smart hydrogels and nanogels, with emphasis on their core strengths in sustained/controlled release, enhanced penetration, and dosage form design. Finally, future perspectives and targeted strategies are proposed to address critical bottlenecks in clinical translation, including manufacturing standards and long-term safety. This work aims to provide theoretical guidance for developing next-generation hydrogel formulations with high efficacy and low toxicity.