Innovative Liposomes as a Transfollicular Drug Delivery System: Penetration into Porcine Hair Follicles

The study explored the effectiveness of five different liposome formulations in penetrating porcine hair follicles, using fluorescent dyes as model drugs. It was found that liposomes, particularly those with amphoteric and cationic properties, penetrated deeper into hair follicles than standard formulations, reaching up to 69% of the follicle length. This indicated that such liposomes could enhance transfollicular drug delivery, showing promise for targeted drug delivery systems. The research suggested that liposomes with a positive or weak negative surface charge and a phase transition temperature at or below skin temperature were more effective, and the use of pig ear skin as a model supported the potential application for transcutaneous vaccination and gene therapy.