Abstract

ETHOSOMES: A NOVAL APPROACH FOR IMPROVED TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY AND AS A CARRIER SYSTEM FOR THE DELIVERY OF HIV DRUGS

Abhinav Shahi*

ABSTRACT

The skin is one of the most extensive and readily accessible organs of the human body and the skin as a route of drug delivery can offer many advantages over traditional drug delivery systems. In transdermal drug delivery system the drug goes to the systemic circulation through the protective barrier i.e. Skin. Skin acts as a major target as well as a principal barrier for topical/transdermal drug delivery. One of the greatest disadvantages to transdermal drug delivery is the skin's low permeability that limits the number of drugs that can be delivered in this manner. Ethosomes as novel vesicles in transdermal drug delivery show significant effects on drug penetration through the biological membrane. This review article will focus on the various aspects of ethosomes including their mechanism of penetration, preparation, advantages, characterization, composition, application and marketed product of ethosomes.

Keywords: Ethosomes, Transdermal drug delivery, Ethanol, Vesicular Carriers, Phospholipid.