Abstract

EMERGING ROLE OF ETHOSOMES IN TARGETED AND ENHANCED TRANSDERMAL THERAPEUTICS

Srathika K., Dr. Shyam S. Kumar* and Dr. N. L. Gowrishankar

ABSTRACT

―Ethosomes are novel lipid-based nanocarriers designed to significantly enhance transdermal and dermal drug delivery‖. Unlike conventional vesicular systems, ethosomes contain high concentrations of ethanol, which not only fluidizes the phospholipid bilayer of the vesicle but also disrupts the tight lipid packing of the stratum corneum. This dual action allows for deeper skin penetration and improved drug bioavailability. Due to their flexibility and composition, ethosomes can encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic agents, including hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, peptides, plant extracts, and even genetic materials. This review comprehensively explores the key aspects of ethosomes, including their composition, structure, mechanisms of skin permeation, various methods of formulation, and physicochemical characterization techniques. It also highlights their applications inpharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals, demonstrating their role in delivering anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, hormones, antivirals, and cosmetic actives. Additionally, a comparative analysis with other vesicular systems is presented to emphasize the superior performance of ethosomes in topical and transdermal delivery. Although ethosomes offer several advantages—such as enhanced permeability, biocompatibility, and versatile drug encapsulation—they are also associated with challenges like vesicle instability and ethanol-induced irritation. The article concludes by addressing current limitations and identifying future research directions, such as the development of ethanol-free or hybrid ethosomal systems and the need for more clinical trials. This review provides an in-depth understanding of ethosomes, emphasizing their promising potential as a next-generation carrier in both therapeutic and cosmetic drug delivery platforms.

Keywords: Ethosomes, Transdermal drug delivery, Skin permeation, Topical therapy.