Isosorbide Diesters: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Applications in Skin and Neuroinflammatory Disorders

Isosorbide fatty acid diesters constitute a novel class of bioactive compounds with emerging therapeutic applications in inflammatory and barrier-compromised disorders. Among them, isosorbide dicaprylate (IDC) and isosorbide di-linoleate/oleate (IDL) synergistically strengthen epidermal barrier integrity, enhance stratum corneum hydration, regulate keratinocyte differentiation, suppress proinflammatory signaling, and beneficially modulate the skin microbiome. Randomized, double-blind clinical trials in both pediatric and adult populations with atopic dermatitis (AD) demonstrate that topical IDC + IDL formulations significantly reduce pruritus, corticosteroid dependence, and Staphylococcus aureus colonization while improving sleep quality, disease severity scores, and overall quality of life. Extending applications within and even beyond dermatology, isosorbide dimethyl fumarate (IDMF)—a next-generation fumarate derivative designed to mitigate sensitization risk—exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities through NRF2 activation and NF-κB/IRF1 suppression. Preclinical studies in psoriasis and neuroinflammatory models, including multiple sclerosis, reveal robust modulation of oxidative stress and immune pathways with improved safety and mechanistic precision compared to conventional fumarates, although its systemic use remains exploratory and requires clinical validation. Collectively, isosorbide diesters emerge as multifunctional therapeutic agents offering barrier repair, immune modulation, and inflammation control, representing promising alternatives to corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppressants across dermatologic and systemic inflammatory disorders.