Ethosomes: A Novel Vesicular Innovation to Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Drugs

Abstract

Transdermal route of drug delivery is a promising substitute to oral-systemic delivery of drug substances. It offers several benefits such as avoidance of first pass metabolism, patience compliance, ease of application and so on. But along with these benefits, the major drawback is the barrier function of the skin which hinders the transdermal delivery of the drugs. Hence, ethosomes are useful in such conditions as they surpass the barriers of the skin. Ethosomes are the noninvasive delivery carriers that enable drugs to reach deep into the skin layers or the systemic circulation. They are made up of phospholipids, high concentration of ethanol and water. Ethosomes are able to encapsulate and distribute extremely lipophilic molecules through the skin, as well as cationic drugs, due to their unique structure and deliver them to the deep layers of the skin. Ethosomes have become an area of research interest, because of its enhanced skin permeation, improved drug delivery, increased drug entrapment efficiency etc. This review article provides an insight about the ethosomal systems, their mechanism of penetration into the skin, methods of preparation, evaluation and applications in the field of pharmacy.