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Souto EB, Macedo AS, Dias-Ferreira J, Cano A, Zielińska A, Matos CM. Elastic and Ultradeformable Liposomes for Transdermal Delivery of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9743. [PMID: 34575907 PMCID: PMC8472566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) through the skin, by means of topical drug delivery systems, is an advanced therapeutic approach. As the skin is the largest organ of the human body, primarily acting as a natural protective barrier against permeation of xenobiotics, specific strategies to overcome this barrier are needed. Liposomes are nanometric-sized delivery systems composed of phospholipids, which are key components of cell membranes, making liposomes well tolerated and devoid of toxicity. As their lipid compositions are similar to those of the skin, liposomes are used as topical, dermal, and transdermal delivery systems. However, permeation of the first generation of liposomes through the skin posed some limitations; thus, a second generation of liposomes has emerged, overcoming permeability problems. Various mechanisms of permeation/penetration of elastic/ultra-deformable liposomes into the skin have been proposed; however, debate continues on their extent/mechanisms of permeation/penetration. In vivo bioavailability of an API administered in the form of ultra-deformable liposomes is similar to the bioavailability achieved when the same API is administered in the form of a solution by subcutaneous or epi-cutaneous injection, which demonstrates their applicability in transdermal drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana B. Souto
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.D.-F.); (A.Z.)
| | - Ana S. Macedo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal;
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences—Applied Chemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Dias-Ferreira
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.D.-F.); (A.Z.)
| | - Amanda Cano
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleksandra Zielińska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (J.D.-F.); (A.Z.)
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Carla M. Matos
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal;
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