Enhanced Delivery of Drugs Into and Across the Skin by Ethosomal Carriers
January 2000
in “
Drug Development Research
”
ethosomal carriers phospholipid vesicular systems dermal drug delivery transdermal drug delivery lipophilic molecules hydrophilic molecules ethosomal formulations aciclovir herpes labialis ethosomal patches testosterone commercial patches antiparkinsonian treatment trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride ethosomal delivery insulin blood glucose levels ethosomes liposomes skin drug delivery transdermal patches testosterone patches herpes treatment Parkinson's treatment blood sugar levels
TLDR Ethosomal carriers improve drug delivery through the skin better than traditional methods.
The study explored the use of ethosomal carriers, which are phospholipid vesicular systems with high alcohol content, to enhance the delivery of drugs through the skin. Ethosomal systems were found to be more effective than classic liposomal systems in delivering both lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules to deeper skin layers. Specifically, minoxidil delivery to pilosebaceous units and aciclovir treatment for herpes labialis were significantly improved with ethosomes. Additionally, ethosomal patches for testosterone showed better skin permeation in rabbits compared to commercial patches. The study also indicated potential for ethosomal systems in developing antiparkinsonian patches and transdermal insulin delivery, which effectively lowered blood glucose levels in rats for at least 8 hours.
