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Ultradeformable Vesicles as Skin Drug Delivery Systems: Mechanisms of Action

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Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration Enhancement

Abstract

Ultradeformable vesicles are liposomes made of phosphatidylcholine with a surfactant being included to impart the deformability. They were shown to enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs. The proposed mechanisms of their action include the possibility for vesicle adsorption, adhesion and may be fusion to the skin surface. This should provide intimate contact with the skin surface and may lead to direct vesicle-skin drug transfer. The possibility that intact vesicles can penetrate intact skin was also suggested with the transdermal hydration gradient being considered as the driving force for vesicle-skin penetration. This mechanism was said to be inhibited by occlusive application. The penetration-enhancing effect of the vesicle components was also suggested although its effect can be minor. Vesicle penetration into and through the hair follicles is another possibility. Accordingly, the aim of this chapter is to critically review the mechanisms of enhanced transdermal delivery from ultradeformable vesicles. The effect of application technique will be considered. Finally, the future perspectives will be highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Tanta, Tanta, 1603, Egypt

    Gamal M. El Maghraby

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  1. Gamal M. El Maghraby
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Correspondence to Gamal M. El Maghraby .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Manufacturing, Apoteka "Beograd", Belgrade, Serbia

    Nina Dragicevic

  2. San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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El Maghraby, G.M. (2016). Ultradeformable Vesicles as Skin Drug Delivery Systems: Mechanisms of Action. In: Dragicevic, N., Maibach, H. (eds) Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers Chemical Methods in Penetration Enhancement. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47862-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47862-2_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-47861-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-47862-2

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