Ethosome: a novel vesicular carrier for transdermal drug delivery

Abstract

Delivery across skin is striking due to its easy convenience. However, drug delivery across skin is still a confront in biomedical sciences. Over the past few decades, various successful narrative devices and techniques have emerged to optimize drug delivery across skin whose barricading behaviour constricts entry of most of the therapeutic agents. Ethosomes are non-invasive delivery transporter that enables drugs to reach the deep skin layers and/or the systemic circulation. Although ethosomal systems are theoretically sophisticated, they are characterized by simplicity in their preparation, efficacy and safety. A combination that can highly inflate their application. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles adapted for enhanced delivery of active agents. This article reviews work carried out method of preparation, application and characterization of ethosomal systems. Because of their exceptional structure, ethosomes are able to encapsulate and deliver through the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as testosterone, cannabinoids and minoxidil as well as cationic drugs such as trihexyphenidil and propranolol. Results obtained in a double-blind two-armed randomized clinical study showed that treatment with the ethosomal acyclovir formulation appreciably improved all the evaluated parameters. In further work, the ethosomal expertise was broadened to introduce agents into cultured cells and microorganisms. Enhanced delivery of bioactive molecules through the skin and cellular membranes by means of an ethosomal transporter opens numerous confronts and prospects for the research and future development of novel improved therapies.
 Keywords: Ethosomes, Skin layers, Characterization