Vesicles as a tool for transdermal and dermal delivery.

Transdermal and dermal drug delivery is problematic because the skin, as a natural barrier, has a very low permeation rate. Therefore several methods have been assessed to increase this rate locally and temporarily. One approach is the use of vesicle formulations.

Quantitative assessment of the transport of elastic and rigid vesicle components and a model drug from these vesicle formulations into human skin in vivo.

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the distribution profiles of elastic and rigid vesicle material in human skin in vivo. Furthermore, the distribution profiles of the model drug ketorolac applied in these vesicle formulations was investigated. A deuterium-labelled phospholipid was incorporated into these vesicles to serve as a marker for the vesicle material.

Skin penetration and mechanisms of action in the delivery of the D2-agonist rotigotine from surfactant-based elastic vesicle formulations.

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effect of elastic and rigid vesicles on the penetration of the D2 dopamine agonist rotigotine across human skin and to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of the elastic vesicles.

Methods: A series of rotigotine-loaded vesicles were prepared, ranging from very elastic to very rigid. The drug penetration from these vesicles across human skin was studied in vitro using flow-through diffusion cells.

The in vivo transport of elastic vesicles into human skin: effects of occlusion, volume and duration of application.

In the present study, several aspects of elastic vesicle transport into human skin were investigated in vivo. Surfactant-based elastic vesicles were applied onto human skin in vivo and subsequently a series of tape-strippings were performed, which were visualised by freeze fracture electron microscopy. Factors of investigation for non-occlusive treatment were the duration of application and the volume of application.

The in vitro transport of pergolide from surfactant-based elastic vesicles through human skin: a suggested mechanism of action.

This paper reports the in vitro transport of pergolide from L-595-PEG-8-L elastic vesicle formulations. Several aspects of vesicular delivery were studied in order to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action and to establish the optimal conditions and drug candidates for usage with L-595-PEG-8-L elastic vesicles. All studies were performed using human skin and flow-through Franz diffusion cells.