The skin, the body’s largest organ, plays a crucial role in protecting internal tissues and regulating moisture and body temperature. However, it also presents a significant barrier to the penetration of many compounds, especially due to the structure of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer. This challenge hinders the effective delivery of active ingredients, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetic agents, through the skin. Innovations in transdermal delivery, like liposomes and ethosomes, enhance bioavailability and stability of active compounds, offering effective treatment options for skin conditions with minimized systemic absorption.
Key Findings
- Cosmetic Applications: Both ethosomes and liposomes are used to deliver bioactive compounds like coenzyme Q10, vitamins A and E, and anti-hyperpigmentation agents, improving skin hydration, protecting from oxidative stress, and reducing aging signs. Liposomes have been successfully commercialized in products like Pevaryl Lipogel® (econazole) and Lipoxome® (melanin for hair pigmentation). Ethosomes also target acne treatments and hyperpigmentation more effectively by enhancing drug delivery to affected areas.
- Reduced Side Effects: Liposomes and ethosomes encapsulate compounds like glycolic acid and retinoids, reducing skin irritation and side effects. Liposomes help minimize the burning sensation caused by retinoids, while ethosomes make acne treatments like tretinoin more effective and less irritating.
- Ethosome Effectiveness: Ethosomes are particularly effective in treating hyperpigmentation by delivering agents like hydroquinone, kojic acid, or vitamin C directly to melanocytes. Ethosomes also improve the delivery of retinoids and benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment, providing targeted action with fewer side effects.
- Penetration and Delivery Efficiency: Ethosomes loaded with coenzyme Q10 demonstrate high penetration and protection against oxidative stress, with rutin-loaded ethosomes significantly improving skin penetration compared to liposomes.
- Safety and Clinical Use: Ethosomes have been shown to be safe in both preclinical and clinical studies. Rutin-loaded ethosomes, for example, were stable and exhibited antioxidant activity, confirming their safe use in daily skincare.
- Patents and Market Applications: There are numerous patents related to liposome and ethosome-based drug carriers, with liposomes being crucial in pharmaceutical applications and ethosomes gaining popularity in cosmetics due to their cost-effectiveness and stability.
Liposomes and ethosomes have revolutionized transdermal drug delivery, enhancing bioavailability and reducing side effects. While liposomes remain important in specialized treatments, ethosomes are becoming the preferred option in cosmetics due to their lower cost and stability. Despite advancements in transdermal drug delivery, effective penetration through the skin’s stratum corneum remains a major challenge. Researchers review the the potential of liposomes and ethosomes as nanocarrier solutions to enhance targeted drug delivery across the skin barrier.
Link to the study: https://tinyurl.com/4pbdj8db
