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Elastic Liposomes for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery

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Liposomes

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1522))

Abstract

Elastic liposomes have been developed and evaluated as novel topical and transdermal delivery systems. They share some similarities to conventional liposomes but their composition is designed to confer flexibility and elasticity in the lipid bilayer structure. Elastic liposomes are applied non-occluded to the skin and are reported to permeate through the stratum corneum lipid lamellar regions as a result of the hydration or osmotic force in the skin. They have been investigated as drug carriers for a range of small molecules, peptides, proteins, and vaccines, both in vitro and in vivo. Following topical application, structural changes in the stratum corneum have been identified and intact elastic liposomes visualized within the stratum corneum lipid lamellar regions, but evidence of intact liposomes in the deeper viable tissues is limited. The method by which they transport their drug payload into and through the skin has been investigated but remains an area of contention. This chapter provides an overview of the development, characterization, and evaluation of elastic liposomes for delivery into and via the skin.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, G.P.O. Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Heather A. E. Benson

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  1. Heather A. E. Benson
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Correspondence to Heather A. E. Benson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy – Boston, MCPHS University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Gerard G.M. D'Souza

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Benson, H.A.E. (2017). Elastic Liposomes for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery. In: D'Souza, G. (eds) Liposomes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1522. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6591-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6591-5_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6589-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6591-5

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