Ethosomes: A Novel Drug Delivery System And Their Therapeutic Applications -A Review

Abstract

“Ethosomes” are soft vesicles made up of Phospholipids, Ethanol and water. They are “novel carrier system” used for delivery of drugs having low penetration through biological membrane i.e., Skin “Transdermal delivery of drugs” plays a major role in the Ethosomes. In this review we are going to discuss about various applications of ethosomes i.e. Delivery of antibiotic, Delivery of NSAIDS, Anti-cancer, Anti-fungal, Skin cancer, Anti-Acne etc. Ethosomes are loaded with drugs like Indomethacin (NSAIDS), Clotrimazole (Anti-fungal), Raloxifene HCl (Anti-cancer), Fluconazole (Antibiotic) etc. This review explains about the preparation methods used in the preparation of ethosomes such as cold method, Hot method, Injection method, Mechanical dispersion method and Classic methods. Evaluation tests performed in the ethosomes are Drug entrapment efficiency, permeation characteristics, Assay of HPLC, FT-IR studies, stability studies, size analysis, zeta potential etc. Various Penetrtion enhancers like Labrasol, Transcutol, and Terpenes were used in the formulation of ethososmes. Improve the penetration of both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs through stratum corneum [SC] into deeper layers of the skin very effectively when compared with liposomes. Ethosomes can act as a carrier for large and diverse group of drugs with different physicochemical properties and found a number of applications in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and cosmetic fields. 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. The formulation of ethosomes possesses promising future in effective dermal or transdermal delivery of bioactive agents.