Chapter 14 - Ethosomes: a potential vesicular carrier for drug delivery

Abstract

Ethosomes are noninvasive drug delivery vehicles that allow entrapped drug(s) to penetrate deep layers of the skin and/or the systemic circulation. Ethosomes are commonly utilized to encourage the permeation of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs through the skin. Ethosomes have the unique ability to transport drugs across membranes, maintain drug release, and protect encapsulated actives from the surrounding environment. The inclusion of ethanol in the bilayers is responsible for the increased bioavailability and skin penetration of ethosomes. This chapter referred to a number of reviews and research publications in order to produce a thorough and simple-to-comprehend chapter. In this chapter, the data were gathered after a grid search of scientific publications and information was presented in terms of the principle of ethosomes, composition, and mechanism of actions, Various commonly employed procedures for the preparation of ethosomes have been explored that includes thin-film hydration, cold injection, the hot procedure, and ethanol injection–sonication. Further vesicles evaluation procedures and ethosomes applications in drug delivery have been thoroughly covered. This chapter includes several aspects that will aid academician and research investigators in comprehending the design and benefits of the ethosomes system. Further, the information provided in this chapter will aid in the development of an improved ethosomes drug delivery system. Based on the literature survey, it is concluded that the use of ethosomes holds considerable promise in addressing the drug delivery challenges in the future as well. However, a well-thought-out procedure is needed to optimize many process factors in the production of large-scale manufacturing of more stable, safe, and cost-effective ethosomes systems for dermal/transdermal delivery.