Ethosomes as Vesicles for Effective Transdermal Delivery: From Bench to Clinical Implementation

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Transdermal drug delivery faces challenges due to the stratum corneum barrier.
• Lipid-based vesicles like liposomes, transfersomes, and invasomes are explored for enhanced delivery.
• Ethosomes have emerged as a promising carrier system for transdermal applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review preclinical and clinical studies on ethosome-mediated transdermal drug delivery.
• To highlight patents demonstrating ethosomes' effectiveness in transporting therapeutic actives.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of drugs delivered via ethosomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature search on Scopus database for relevant studies.
• Focus on therapeutic categories including antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, and CNS-acting drugs.
• Analysis of in vitro and in vivo permeability data, transdermal flux, and confocal microscopy.

Main Results:

• Ethosomes show potential for delivering diverse drugs across multiple therapeutic categories.
• In vitro and in vivo studies confirm enhanced skin permeability and transdermal flux.
• Confocal microscopy visualizes increased drug quantity and depth of penetration facilitated by ethosomes.

Conclusions:

• Ethosomes are efficient vesicles for improving transdermal drug transport.
• Ethosomal formulations enhance drug delivery across the skin barrier.
• Ethosomes offer a competent platform for systemic drug availability via the transdermal route.