Transdermal Nanocarriers for Enhanced Skin Permeation Recent Advances in Transfersomes, Ethosomes and Nanoparticles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v13.i2.1799Keywords:
Transdermal drug delivery, Transdermal nanomedicine, Stratum corneum, Polymeric nanoparticles, Lipid nanoparticles, Nanoparticles, Ethosomes, Transfersomes, Nanocarriers, Skin permeationAbstract
Transdermal drug delivery provides an attractive alternative to conventional routes of administration by offering sustained drug release, improved patient compliance and avoidance of gastrointestinal degradation and hepatic first-pass metabolism. However, the stratum corneum represents a major barrier to the penetration of many therapeutic molecules, limiting the effectiveness of conventional transdermal formulations. The literature was reviewed to assess the composition, physicochemical characteristics, mechanisms of permeation enhancement, therapeutic applications and formulation challenges associated with these systems. Transfersomes demonstrate high deformability and can facilitate drug transport through narrow pathways within the skin, whereas ethosomes utilise ethanol-mediated membrane fluidisation and modification of stratum-corneum lipids to enhance penetration. Nanoparticle systems, including solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and polymeric nanoparticles, provide opportunities for improved drug loading, controlled release, skin retention and targeted delivery. Recent developments have further introduced hybrid, multifunctional and responsive nanocarriers intended to improve therapeutic precision. Despite substantial progress, challenges involving formulation stability, reproducibility, manufacturing scale-up, safety, standardisation and clinical translation remain. Overall, transdermal nanocarriers represent a rapidly developing platform with considerable potential to improve skin permeation and expand the range of drugs suitable for transdermal administration.
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