Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
18:57
Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
Published on: October 17, 2013
46.3K
Ethosomes as a carrier for transdermal drug delivery system: methodology and recent developments
Karishma Mahajan1, Poonam Sharma1, Vikrant Abbot2
1Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Journal of Liposome Research
|April 27, 2024
Summary
Ethosomes, a type of transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS), enhance drug permeation through the skin. These specialized vesicles improve bioavailability for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Dermatology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) offer localized or systemic drug administration through the skin.
- The stratum corneum (SC) presents a significant barrier to drug penetration due to its lipid-rich structure.
- Lipid-based vesicular systems are gaining popularity for their ability to encapsulate diverse drug types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ethosome technology for transdermal drug delivery.
- To explore ethosome composition, types, and fabrication methods.
- To discuss the application of ethosomes in various disease treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ethosome synthesis and characterization techniques.
- Analysis of ethosome-based drug delivery mechanisms and stability.
- Examination of ethosome safety profiles and marketed formulations.
Main Results:
- Ethosomes, composed of phospholipids and ethanol, demonstrate enhanced skin permeability.
- These vesicles effectively deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, improving bioavailability.
- Ethosomes show promise for treating a wide range of diseases via transdermal routes.
Conclusions:
- Ethosomes represent a promising advancement in transdermal drug delivery systems.
- Their unique composition facilitates enhanced drug permeation and bioavailability.
- Further research and development of ethosome formulations are warranted for broader clinical application.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
502
Drugs must traverse multiple biological barriers, such as multi-layered skin, single-layered intestinal epithelium, and the plasma membrane, to reach their target sites within the body. The plasma membrane, a highly structured composite of phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, is the cell's protective boundary, facilitating selective substance exchange.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
502
01:23Mechanisms of Drug Absorption: Paracellular, Transcellular, and Vesicular Transport
517
Drugs need to permeate cell membranes to reach their target sites after administration. Orally administered drugs must transcend intestinal epithelial membrane barriers to infiltrate the systemic circulation. Drugs with a molecular weight of less than 500 Daltons diffuse through gaps between neighboring cells, called paracellular pathways.
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
517
01:16Drug Delivery: Overview
289
The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
289
01:16Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In vitro
233
In vitro experiments are crucial for understanding the transport and absorption of drugs through biological materials. These studies employ varied methods such as the diffusion cell method, the everted sac technique, and the everted ring technique.
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...
233
01:17Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
436
Pore transport and ion-pair formation are critical mechanisms for the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body.
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
436
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
338
Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
338