Abstract
The delivery of drugs via skin routes has been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, clinical applications are limited by the stratum corneum (SC), the predominant barrier of the skin. One of the possibilities for increasing skin absorption or permeation of drugs is the use of nano/submicron vesicular systems. Classic liposomes are of little value as carriers for drug delivery via the skin because they do not deeply penetrate it. Only specially designed liposomes have been shown to be capable of achieving enhanced delivery. Liposomes are tiny spheres ranging in diameter from 50 nm to several microns. This review article explores the types and mechanisms involved with liposomes with nanostructures for enhancing topical or transdermal drug delivery. The incorporation of some additives such as anionic surfactants and ethanol can fluidize the phospholipid bilayers, thus increasing the depths to which liposomes can penetrate into the intercellular pathways of the skin. Hair follicles are also important for the enhancement of transdermal liposomes. Niosomes, non-ionic surfactant vesicles, are alternatives to liposomes, which are also discussed in this review. Physical methods such as iontophoresis, ultrasound, and tape-stripping can further assist the delivery of drugs encapsulated in liposomes. Recent breakthroughs with liposomes are beneficial to topically applied permeants, especially for dermatological medications, cosmetic ingredients, and protein/peptide macromolecules.
Keywords: Liposomes, Skin, Drug delivery, Stratum corneum
Current Nanoscience
Title: Liposomes as Vehicles for Enhancing Drug Delivery Via Skin Routes
Volume: 2 Issue: 1
Author(s): Jia-You Fang, Tsong-Long Hwang and Yen-Ling Huang
Affiliation:
Keywords: Liposomes, Skin, Drug delivery, Stratum corneum
Abstract: The delivery of drugs via skin routes has been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, clinical applications are limited by the stratum corneum (SC), the predominant barrier of the skin. One of the possibilities for increasing skin absorption or permeation of drugs is the use of nano/submicron vesicular systems. Classic liposomes are of little value as carriers for drug delivery via the skin because they do not deeply penetrate it. Only specially designed liposomes have been shown to be capable of achieving enhanced delivery. Liposomes are tiny spheres ranging in diameter from 50 nm to several microns. This review article explores the types and mechanisms involved with liposomes with nanostructures for enhancing topical or transdermal drug delivery. The incorporation of some additives such as anionic surfactants and ethanol can fluidize the phospholipid bilayers, thus increasing the depths to which liposomes can penetrate into the intercellular pathways of the skin. Hair follicles are also important for the enhancement of transdermal liposomes. Niosomes, non-ionic surfactant vesicles, are alternatives to liposomes, which are also discussed in this review. Physical methods such as iontophoresis, ultrasound, and tape-stripping can further assist the delivery of drugs encapsulated in liposomes. Recent breakthroughs with liposomes are beneficial to topically applied permeants, especially for dermatological medications, cosmetic ingredients, and protein/peptide macromolecules.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Fang Jia-You, Hwang Tsong-Long and Huang Yen-Ling, Liposomes as Vehicles for Enhancing Drug Delivery Via Skin Routes, Current Nanoscience 2006; 2 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157341306775473791
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157341306775473791 |
Print ISSN 1573-4137 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6786 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Role of nanomaterials in fabrication of coatings, Machining and Joining
The application of nanoscience has brought about a revolution in the field of mechanical engineering by providing novel materials, boosting manufacturing processes, and generating cutting-edge products. The purpose of this special issue is to investigate the enormous impact that nanoscience has had on mechanical engineering, with a particular emphasis on ...read more
Advanced Inorganic Nanocomposites and Their Emerging Applications
This special issue collection will highlight developments on the recent trends about the synthesis of metal oxides, nanoclusters, biomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, nanocrystals, nanocomposites, etc. and their applications in electrochemical systems, tissue regeneration, energy storage and harvesting, sensors, etc. The novelty of the methods in the chemical synthesis and their characterizations, ...read more
Applicability of Nanotechnology for Performance Enhancement of Clean Energy Technologies
Population growth, industrialization, and improvement in living quality would lead to further increase in energy demand in near future. Regarding the disadvantages of fossil fuels such as fluctuations in their price, high emissions of greenhouse gases and restriction of their sources, it is crucial to use and exploit alternative energy ...read more
Graphene and 2D Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
This thematic issue will discuss the recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for different energy technologies. Graphene possesses a high surface area, and stable structure and exhibits many interesting electronic, optical, and mechanical properties due to its 2D crystal structure. Graphene is of both fundamental interest and suitable for a wide ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Beyond the "Lock and Key" Paradigm: Targeting Lipid Rafts to Induce the Selective Apoptosis of Cancer Cells
Current Medicinal Chemistry Liquid-Crystalline Nanodispersions Containing Monoolein for Photodynamic Therapy of Skin Diseases: A Mini-Review
Current Nanoscience Alternate Strategies of Hsp90 Modulation for the Treatment of Cancer and Other Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Management of Vaginal Cancer
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Alteronol Induces Differentiation of Melanoma B16-F0 Cells
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Editorial [Hot Topic: Novel Kinase Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy (Guest Editors: Ezra E.W. Cohen and Nikolai G. Rainov)]
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Clinical Pharmacology of Cyclophosphamide and Ifosfamide
Current Drug Therapy Peptide modules for overcoming barriers of nucleic acids transport to cells
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Intracellular Domain of Amyloid Precursor Protein is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Impact of PLK-1 Silencing on Endothelial Cells and Cancer Cells of Diverse Histological Origin
Current Gene Therapy Novel Strategies for Effective Actinic Keratosis Treatment: A Review
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Targeted Radionuclide Therapy - An Overview
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Recent Advances in PUVA Photochemotherapy and PDT for the Treatment of Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Efficacy and Mechanism of Proteasome Inhibitors in Solid Tumor Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Low Molecular Weight and Oligomeric Chitosans and Their Bioactivities
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor: Structure, Function and Pharmacological Targeting in Cancer
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Small Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Skin Regeneration: The Possibilities
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine <i>In Silico</i> Molecular Interaction Studies of Chitosan Polymer with Aromatase Inhibitor: Leads to Letrozole Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry