Ethosomal Drug Delivery Systems for Enhanced Topical Delivery of Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22270/ajprd.v14i2.1748Abstract
Ethosomal drug delivery systems have emerged as advanced vesicular carriers designed to enhance the topical and transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents, particularly in the management of dermatological conditions such as herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Conventional topical formulations often face significant limitations due to the barrier function of the stratum corneum, which restricts drug penetration and reduces therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these challenges, vesicular systems have been extensively explored, among which ethosomes have demonstrated notable advantages.
Ethosomes are distinguished by their high ethanol content combined with flexible phospholipid bilayers, which facilitate deeper skin penetration and improved drug permeation. These systems enhance drug entrapment efficiency, increase bioavailability, and enable sustained drug release compared to traditional carriers like liposomes and niosomes. Their unique mechanism involves ethanol-induced fluidization of skin lipids along with vesicle deformability, allowing efficient transport of active compounds across skin layers.
Various aspects of ethosomal systems, including their composition, classification, preparation techniques, and characterization parameters such as vesicle size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release, and stability, are critical in determining their performance. Additionally, ethosomes provide a versatile platform for combination therapy by enabling co-delivery of antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents. For instance, simultaneous incorporation of drugs like acyclovir and triamcinolone acetonide offers synergistic benefits by targeting both viral replication and associated inflammation.
Overall, ethosomal systems represent a promising and efficient approach for targeted and controlled topical drug delivery. Their ability to enhance permeability, improve therapeutic outcomes, and support combination therapy highlights their potential as superior alternatives to conventional formulations, paving the way for future advancements in pharmaceutical and clinical applications.
Downloads
References
Barry BW. Novel mechanisms and devices to enable successful transdermal drug delivery. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2001;14(2):101–114.
Prausnitz MR, Langer R. Transdermal drug delivery. Nat Biotechnol. 2008;26(11):1261–1268.
Almuqbil RM, Aldhubiab BE. Ethosome-Based Transdermal Drug Delivery: Structural Components and Applications. Pharmaceutics. 2025;17(5):583.
Rhen T, Cidlowski JA. Anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids. N Engl J Med. 2005; 353:1711–1723.
Mahajan K, Sharma P, Abbot V, Chauhan K. Ethosomes as a carrier for transdermal drug delivery system. J Liposome Res. 2024;34(4):697–714.
Touitou E, Dayan N, Bergelson L, Godin B, Eliaz M. Ethosomes—novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery. J Control Release. 2000;65(3):403–418.
Zhan B, Wang J, Li H, et al. Ethosomes: A Promising Drug Delivery Platform. Chemistry. 2024;6(5):993–1019.
Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Exp Dermatol. 2008;17(12):1063–1072.
Elias PM. Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view. J Invest Dermatol. 2005;125(2):183–200.
Menon GK. New insights into skin structure: scratching the surface. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2002;54(Suppl 1): S3–S17.
Barry BW. Dermatological formulations: percutaneous absorption. Drugs Pharm Sci. 2002; 119:1–18.
Benson HAE. Transdermal drug delivery: penetration enhancement techniques. Curr Drug Deliv. 2005;2(1):23–33.
Mahajan K, Sharma P, Abbot V, Chauhan K. Ethosomes as a carrier for transdermal drug delivery system. J Liposome Res. 2024;34(4):697–714.
Lasic DD. Liposomes in gene delivery. CRC Press. 1997.
Torchilin VP. Recent advances with liposomes as pharmaceutical carriers. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2005;4(2):145–160.
Gregoriadis G. Liposome technology. CRC Press. 2006.
Bozzuto G, Molinari A. Liposomes as nanomedical devices. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015; 10:975–999.
Honeywell-Nguyen PL, Bouwstra JA. Vesicles as a tool for transdermal drug delivery. Drug Discov Today. 2005;10(9):663–669.
Verma DD, Fahr A. Synergistic penetration enhancement by ethanol and phospholipids. J Control Release. 2004;97(1):55–66.
Uchegbu IF, Vyas SP. Non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles (niosomes). Int J Pharm. 1998;172(1–2):33–70.
Moghassemi S, Hadjizadeh A. Nano-niosomes as nanoscale drug delivery systems. J Control Release. 2014; 185:22–36.
Kazi KM, Mandal AS, Biswas N, et al. Niosome: a future of targeted drug delivery systems. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010;1(4):374–380.
Verma DD, Fahr A. Ethosomal drug delivery system. J Control Release. 2004;97(1):55–66.
Zhan B, Wang J, Li H, et al. Ethosomes: A Promising Drug Delivery Platform. Chemistry. 2024;6(5):993–1019.
Elsayed MMA, Abdallah OY, Naggar VF, Khalafallah NM. Deformable liposomes and ethosomes as carriers for skin delivery. Int J Pharm. 2006;322(1–2):60–66.
Barry BW. Mode of action of penetration enhancers in human skin. J Control Release. 1987;6(1):85–97.
Elias PM. Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view. J Invest Dermatol. 2005;125(2):183–200.
Williams AC, Barry BW. Penetration enhancers. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2004;56(5):603–618.
Karande P, Mitragotri S. Enhancement of transdermal drug delivery via synergistic action of chemicals. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009;1788(11):2362–2373.
Williams AC. Transdermal and topical drug delivery. Pharmaceutical Press. 2003.
Sheel S, Biswas P, Karmakar V, Khanam S. Ethosome as a potential transdermal drug delivery system. J Pharm Biol Sci. 2022;10(2):72–78.
Yadav KK, Verma NK. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2018, 10(5): 4-15.
Torchilin VP. Multifunctional nanocarriers. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2014;13(11):813–827.
Padole N, Avari J. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2021 Oct 15;9(5):67-73.
Vyavahare S, Padole N, Avari J. A review: silver nanoparticles in wound healing. Eur. J. Pharm. Med. Res. 2021;8:212-8.
Padole NN, Padole NN. Fundamentals of Acoustics. InHandbook of Vibroacoustics, Noise and Harshness 2024 Dec 18 (pp. 915-950). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Firdous Z, Dhapake P, Padole N, Dhoble N, Baheti J. Different approaches for transdermal nano-carrier delivery system. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences. 2023 Nov 28;14(2):94-104.
Yugali C, Pankaj D, Nilakshi D, Nitin P, Jagdish B. Nanotechnology-Enabled Niosomal Nasal Sprays: Unlocking New Therapeutic Avenues for Alzheimer’s Disease. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2026 Apr 15;14(2):98-104.
Padole NN, Majgavali NV, Meshram MA, Padole NN. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by chemical route for potential applications: a review. vol. 2022 Apr;31:2022.
Padole NN. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2022 Apr 15;10(2):29-36.
Tijare LK, Deshmukh LT, Mohod AA, Bhandakkar VM, Hore S, Padole NN. Process validation of highly potent Antidiabetic tablets of Voglibose 0.2 Mg. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2022 Apr 16;10(2):90-110.
Padole Nitin ,Avari Jasmine, Synthesis and characterization of cefixime loaded silver nanoparticles for antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus, Journal of Medical Pharmaceutical and allied sciences.2022 ISSN NO. 2320–7418
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Dikshita S. Sawarkar, Nitin N. Padole, Pankaj R. Dhapke, Nilakshi N. Dhoble, Jagdish R. Baheti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
AUTHORS WHO PUBLISH WITH THIS JOURNAL AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Unported License. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
. 