Nanoethosomes for Dermal Delivery of Lidocaine

In November 2015, researchers investigated the use of nanoethosomes for dermal delivery of the local anesthetic Lidocaine. The study found that the combination of phospholipids and a high concentration of ethanol in the formulation could enhance the penetration of nanoethosomes into deeper skin layers. The Lidocaine-loaded nanoethosomes had a particle size of 105.4 ± 7.9 nm, zeta potential of -33.6 ± 2.4 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 40.14 ± 2.5%, and loading capacity of 8.02 ± 0.71. The particle size and encapsulation efficiency were dependent on the phospholipid and ethanol concentrations. Both in vitro and in vivo assays confirmed the effective skin penetration of Lidocaine with the aid of nanoethosomes. The study concluded that nanoethosomes could be a suitable carrier for topical delivery of anesthetics such as Lidocaine.