Abstract
Author(s): UZMA AFREEN
Invasomes are liposomal vesicles embodying small amounts of ethanol and terpenes or terpene mixtures, which act as potential carrier with increased skin penetration. Invasomes have higher perforation rate through the skin compared to liposomes and ethosomes. Invasomes are novel elastic phospholipid vesicles contains phosphatidylcholine, ethanol and one or mixture of terpenes. several researchers have confirmed the ability of terpenes in an increasing percutaneous penetration. Their penetration- enhancing activity is through the disruption of the stratum corneum lipids, interaction with intracellular proteins and improvement of partitioning of the drug
into the stratum corneum. Ethanol improves the vesicular ability to penetrate the stratum corneum. In addition, ethanol provides net negative surface charge and prevents vesicle aggregation due to electrostatic repulsion. A synergic effect between terpenes and ethanol on the percutaneous absorption has been remarkably observed. Terpenes, the naturally occurring volatile oils which are included in the list of generally recognised as safe substances with low irritancy at lower concentrations (1-5%), with reversible
effect on the lipids of stratum corneum are considered as the clinically sustainable penetration enhancers. Invasomes provide a number of advantages as well as improves
the drug efficacy, enhancing patient compliance and comfort. Enhanced delivery of drug through the skin and cellular membranes by means of an invasomes carrier opens numerous challenges and opportunities for research and future development of novel improved therapies.
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