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Review
. 2023 Feb 15;15(2):656.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020656.

Current Advances in Lipid Nanosystems Intended for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery Applications

Nakamwi Akombaetwa  1 , Ange B Ilangala  2   3 , Lorraine Thom  4 , Patrick B Memvanga  2   5 , Bwalya Angel Witika  4 , Aristote B Buya  2   6
Affiliations
Review

Current Advances in Lipid Nanosystems Intended for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery Applications

Nakamwi Akombaetwa et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Skin delivery is an exciting and challenging field. It is a promising approach for effective drug delivery due to its ease of administration, ease of handling, high flexibility, controlled release, prolonged therapeutic effect, adaptability, and many other advantages. The main associated challenge, however, is low skin permeability. The skin is a healthy barrier that serves as the body's primary defence mechanism against foreign particles. New advances in skin delivery (both topical and transdermal) depend on overcoming the challenges associated with drug molecule permeation and skin irritation. These limitations can be overcome by employing new approaches such as lipid nanosystems. Due to their advantages (such as easy scaling, low cost, and remarkable stability) these systems have attracted interest from the scientific community. However, for a successful formulation, several factors including particle size, surface charge, components, etc. have to be understood and controlled. This review provided a brief overview of the structure of the skin as well as the different pathways of nanoparticle penetration. In addition, the main factors influencing the penetration of nanoparticles have been highlighted. Applications of lipid nanosystems for dermal and transdermal delivery, as well as regulatory aspects, were critically discussed.

Keywords: dermal delivery; lipid nanosystems; nanoparticles; targeted delivery; transdermal delivery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphic illustration of the structure of the skin and pathways for skin penetration of nanoparticles (A) and the mechanisms involved in advanced vesicular skin penetration (B). Adapted with permission from [54] and Elsevier B.V Netherlands.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Classification of the main types of lipidic nanosystems for dermal and transdermal drug delivery. Adapted with permission from [62] and Elsevier B.V Amsterdam.
Figure 3
Figure 3
x-y images of the follicular localisation of fluorescent nanoparticles after application of nanoparticles (20 nm) for (a) 30 min, (b) 1 h and (c) 2 h and of nanoparticles (200 nm) for (d) 30 min, (e) 1 h and (f) 2 h. Hair follicles are represented by white circles. Reproduced from [184] with permission from Elsevier B.V Amsterdam. Key: Green fluorescence levels are localized to the follicular regions in figures (a–c), and the time-dependent accumulation of nanoparticles in hair follicles is shown in figures (d–f).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Common characterization and evaluation techniques of lipid nanosystems.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Illustration of the different types of diffusion cells used in the determination of transdermal flux. Images reproduced with permission from PermeGear, Inc.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Penetration of 5-carboxyfluorescein-labeled siRNAs into flexible liposomes from freshly excised human skin. The sizes of the liposomes and the percent size decrease caused by filtration through a 30 nm porous filter were as follows: transferosomes 98 nm (30%); ethosomes 79 nm (11%); 58 nm secosomes (3%) and 98 nm rigid liposomes, (-). Reproduced without modification and with permission from [245].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

The APC was funded by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

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