Published Paper Details:

Transdermal drug delivery system was first introduced more than 20 years ago. Transdermal drug delivery system is a type of convenient drug delivery system where drug goes to the systemic circulation through the protective barrier i.e. skin is the main target of topical and transdermal preparations. Major aim of transdermal drug delivery system is to cross the stratum corneum. Ethosomes are the ethanolic phospholipid vesicles which are used mainly for transdermal delivery of drugs. Ethosomes have gained importance in the area of research, because of their intensified skin permeation, better delivery of drug and increased drug entrapment efficiency. Ethosomes are brand-new lipid vesicular carriers with a reasonably high ethanol content that are used as a transdermal drug delivery system to test the effectiveness of a targeted medication at the site of action. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles composed mainly of phospholipids, ethanol (relatively high concentration) and water. Several approaches have been developed to weaken this skin barrier. One of the approaches for increasing the skin penetration of drugs and many cosmetic chemicals is the use of vesicular systems such as ethosomes. Ethanol is known as an efficient permeation enhancer and has been added in the vesicular systems to prepare elastic nanovesicles. Ethosomal dispersions are added to gels, patches, and creams for ease of use and stability. The ethosomes efficacy in dermal/transdermal administration is evaluated via clinical studies as well as a wide range of in vivo models. The present review focuses mainly on the various aspects of ethosomes including their mechanism of penetration, preparation, composition, characterization, advantages, applications and marketed product of ethosomes.