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Vesicular carriers for dermal drug delivery
Chiara Sinico1, Anna Maria Fadda
1University of Cagliari, Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, 09124 Cagliari -Italy.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|July 3, 2009
Summary
Lipid vesicles like liposomes and niosomes improve topical drug delivery by enhancing skin penetration. Their composition and preparation influence efficacy, acting as carriers or creating skin depots for localized drug action.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
Background:
- The skin's barrier properties impede topical drug penetration.
- Lipid-based vesicles (liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes) are explored to enhance drug delivery.
- The efficacy of vesicles for topical delivery remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of vesicles in topical drug delivery.
- To emphasize vesicle mechanisms for localizing drugs in the skin.
- To discuss factors influencing vesicle performance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of vesicular drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of vesicle composition (lipids, surfactants) and preparation methods.
- Evaluation of physicochemical properties (size, charge, deformability).
Main Results:
- Vesicles can function as drug carriers, control release, and form skin depots.
- Different vesicle types (liposomes, niosomes) show variable effects.
- Physicochemical properties critically impact delivery efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Vesicles offer potential for improved topical and transdermal drug delivery.
- Optimizing vesicle composition and preparation is key to efficacy.
- Understanding mechanisms is crucial for targeted drug localization.
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