Lin Ren,1,* Xiaowen Xu,1,* Xianbin Liu,1 Hong Ning,1 Qian Ding,2 Min Yang,1 Tiantian Liang1 

1Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Mental Health Center/the Third Hospital of Mianyang, Mianyang, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Tiantian Liang; Min Yang, Department of Pharmacy, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, 621000, People’s Republic of China, Email tiantianliang2021@163.com; ym8710@126.com

Abstract: Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are a kind of skin soft tissue benign tumors in infants, with a high incidence rate and significant harm. Rapid early proliferation can cause severe cosmetic deformities and organ development disorders. Propranolol Hydrochloride (PRH), a non-selective adrenergic β-receptor blocker, has become the first-line treatment for IHs due to its good efficacy and safety compared to other drugs. To further improve the bioavailability of PRH, deliver it more safely and effectively to the lesion site, and enhance patient compliance, researchers are continually developing new PRH formulations for the treatment of IHs. This article briefly introduced the pathogenesis of IHs and the therapeutic mechanism of PRH. It also provided a detailed overview of various new PRH formulations developed over the past 12 years for the treatment of IHs, including improved oral formulations, topical creams, gels, liposomes/nanoparticles, transdermal patches, microneedles, and targeted injectable formulations. This article summarized the development prospects and technical challenges of these new formulations. It aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent advances in new propranolol formulations and technologies for treating IHs, offering a reference for further research and application. At the same time, it is hoped that various new formulations of PRH can be safely and efficiently used in clinical practice in the future.

Keywords: infantile hemangiomas, propranolol, propranolol hydrochloride, formulation