View Article

  • Transfersomes and Ethosomes for Enhanced Transdermal Drug Delivery: Mechanistic Insights and Comparative Evaluation

  • Department of Pharmaceutics, D. K. Patil Institute of Pharmacy, Loha Nanded India 431708

Abstract

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) provide a non-invasive alternative to conventional dosing but are often restricted by the skin’s primary barrier, the stratum corneum. This review evaluates second- and third-generation ultradeformable vesicles—transfersomes and ethosomes—designed to overcome these limitations. Transfersomes utilize edge activators to achieve extreme elasticity, allowing them to squeeze through narrow pores via a transdermal osmotic gradient. Conversely, ethosomes leverage high ethanol concentrations to fluidize skin lipids, facilitating deep penetration through a "push-pull" mechanism. The review compares their composition, mechanisms, and applications in delivering diverse therapeutic agents, including proteins and lipophilic drugs. While challenges such as physical instability and regulatory hurdles remain, emerging hybrid systems like transethosomes and integration with microneedles represent the future of efficient, localized, and systemic transdermal therapy.

Keywords

Transdermal Drug Delivery,Transfersomes,Ethosome,Vesicle,Stratum Corneum

Introduction

Overview of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS)

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) are designed to transport therapeutic agents across the skin and into the systemic circulation (1). These systems offer a non-invasive alternative to oral and parenteral routes, providing sustained and controlled drug release (4). By maintaining constant drug levels in the plasma, TDDS can eliminate the "peaks and valleys" associated with conventional dosing, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes (3).

Limitations of Conventional Transdermal Formulations

The primary challenge for any TDDS is the stratum corneum (SC), the skin's outermost layer, which acts as a formidable physiological barrier (1). Conventional formulations are often restricted by:

  • Physicochemical Constraints: Passive diffusion is generally limited to molecules with a molecular weight of less than 500 Daltons and moderate lipophilicity (Log P 1–3) (1, 2).
  • Low Permeability: Many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) cannot permeate the skin at therapeutic rates, leading to poor bioavailability (1, 4).
  • Skin Irritation: Some chemical enhancers used in traditional patches can cause localized irritation or damage to the skin's lipid barrier (1, 3).

Need for Vesicular Carrier–Based Enhancement Strategies To broaden the range of drugs that can be delivered transdermally—including hydrophilic compounds and large macromolecules—researchers have turned to vesicular carriers (3). These nanostructured systems can encapsulate drugs, protect them from degradation, and facilitate their transport through the skin's "brick and mortar" structure (5). Emergence of Ultra deformable Vesicles: Transfersomes and Ethosomes. Standard liposomes often fail to penetrate deep skin layers, instead remaining trapped in the upper stratum corneum (3). This led to the development of ultra-deformable vesicles (UDVs):

  • Transfersomes: Second-generation elastic vesicles composed of phospholipids and edge activators (surfactants like Tween 80). These surfactants destabilize the lipid bilayer, allowing the vesicle to become highly flexible (2, 3).
  • Ethosomes: Third-generation vesicles characterized by a high concentration of ethanol (20–50%). Ethanol fluidizes both the vesicle membrane and the skin's intercellular lipids, significantly increasing penetration depth (2, 4).

Scope and Objectives of the Review

The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of transfersomes and ethosomes as advanced transdermal platforms. It explores:

  • The mechanistic insights into how these vesicles navigate the skin barrier.
  • The comparative evaluation of their efficiency in delivering diverse drug types (hydrophilic vs. lipophilic).
  • Recent innovations, such as transethosomes, which combine the advantages of both systems for superior skin flux (2, 5).

2. Skin Barrier and Challenges in Transdermal Drug Delivery

Anatomy and Physiology of Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, serving as a protective shield against environmental insults. It is composed of three primary integrated layers:

  1. Epidermis: The outermost non-vascular layer, containing melanocytes and keratinocytes.
  2. Dermis: A thick layer of connective tissue containing blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings.
  3. Hypodermis (Subcutaneous layer): The deepest layer consisting of adipose (fat) tissue that provides insulation and mechanical protection (6).

Reference

  1. Sivadasan, D., & Madkhali, O. A. (2024). The design features, quality by design approach, characterization, therapeutic applications, and clinical considerations of transdermal drug delivery systems—a comprehensive review. Pharmaceuticals, 17(10), 1346. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101346
  2. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  3. Ascenso, A., Batista, C., Cardoso, P., Mendes, T., Praça, F., Bentley, V., Raposo, S., & Simões, S. (2015). Development, characterization, and skin delivery studies of related ultradeformable vesicles: transfersomes, ethosomes, and transethosomes. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 10, 5837–5851. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s86186
  4. Zhan, B., Wang, J., Li, H., Xiao, K., Fang, X., Shi, Y., & Jia, Y. (2024). Ethosomes: A promising drug delivery platform for transdermal application. Chemistry, 6(5), 993–1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6050058
  5. Witika, B. A., Mweetwa, L. L., Tshiamo, K. O., Edler, K., Matafwali, S. K., Ntemi, P. V., Chikukwa, M. T. R., & Makoni, P. A. (2021). Vesicular drug delivery for the treatment of topical disorders: current and future perspectives. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 73(11), 1427–1441. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgab082
  6. Benson, H. A. E., Grice, J. E., Mohammed, Y., Namjoshi, S., & Roberts, M. S. (2019). Topical and transdermal drug delivery: From simple absorption to novel frontier technologies. Pharmaceutics, 11(6), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11060249
  7. Shingade, G. M. (2023). A review on: Transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(5), 4503-4512.
  8. Tanner, T., & Marks, R. (2008). Delivering drugs by the transdermal route: review and update. Skin Research and Technology, 14(3), 249–260. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2008.00316.x
  9. Alkilani, A. Z., McCrudden, M. T., & Donnelly, R. F. (2015). Transdermal drug delivery: Innovative pharmaceutical developments based on disruption of the barrier properties of the stratum corneum. Pharmaceutics, 7(4), 438–470. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics7040438
  10. Shingade, G. M. (2023). A review on: Transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(5), 4503-4512.
  11. Witika, B. A., Mweetwa, L. L., Tshiamo, K. O., Edler, K., Matafwali, S. K., Ntemi, P. V., Chikukwa, M. T. R., & Makoni, P. A. (2021). Vesicular drug delivery for the treatment of topical disorders: current and future perspectives. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 73(11), 1427–1441. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgab082
  12. Karami, N., Karami, M., & Moghimipour, E. (2024). Vesicular drug delivery systems: Promising approaches in ocular drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 16(4), 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16040512
  13. Ge, X., Wei, M., He, S., & Yuan, W. E. (2019). Advances of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) and their application in drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 11(2), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11020055
  14. Umbarkar, S. (2021). Niosome as a novel pharmaceutical drug delivery: A brief review highlighting formulation, types, composition and application. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 55(1), S12-S22.
  15. Chauhan, S., & Das, A. (2024). Niosomes: A promising approach for targeted drug delivery. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 26(3), 142-154.
  16. Salmani, A. A., & Shrivastava, S. (2017). Elastic liposomes as novel carriers: Recent advances in drug delivery. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 12, 5087–5108. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s141868
  17. Chauhan, N. (2017). An updated review on transfersomes: A novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2(4), 49–52. https://doi.org/10.22270/ujpr.v2i4.rw2
  18. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  19. Chen, R. P., Chavda, V. P., Patel, A. B., & Chen, Z. S. (2022). Phytochemical delivery through transferosome (phytosome): An advanced transdermal drug delivery for complementary medicines. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 850862. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.850862
  20. Muthangi, S., Pallerla, P., & Nimmagadda, S. (2023). Transdermal delivery of drugs using transferosomes: A comprehensive review. Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, 14(06), 30-35. https://doi.org/10.55218/jasr.202314604
  21. Sudhakar, K., Fuloria, S., Subramaniyan, V., et al. (2021). Ultraflexible liposome nanocargo as a dermal and transdermal drug delivery system. Nanomaterials, 11(10), 2557. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102557
  22. Chen, R. P. (2022). Phytochemical delivery through transferosome (phytosome): An advanced transdermal drug delivery for complementary medicines. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 850862. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.850862
  23. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  24. Shaikh, J. S., & Akbari, B. (2025). Transfersomes in advanced drug delivery: A comprehensive review of design, mechanism, and clinical applications. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 15(4), 395-401.
  25. Gupta, A. (2012). Transfersomes: A novel vesicular carrier for enhanced transdermal delivery of sertraline: Development, characterization, and performance evaluation. Scientia Pharmaceutica, 80(4), 1061–1080. https://doi.org/10.3797/scipharm.1208-02
  26. Chauhan, N. (2017). An updated review on transfersomes: A novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2(4), 49–52. https://doi.org/10.22270/ujpr.v2i4.rw2
  27. Muthangi, S., Pallerla, P., & Nimmagadda, S. (2023). Transdermal delivery of drugs using transferosomes: A comprehensive review. Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, 14(06), 30-35.
  28. Sudhakar, K., et al. (2025). Development and evaluation of trans-resveratrol-loaded transfersomes. Nanotechnology, Science and Applications, 18, 45-58.
  29. Amasya, G., et al. (2025). Formulation and characterization of transfersomes for ocular delivery of tonabersat. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 51(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10837450.2025.2501991
  30. Witika, B. A., et al. (2026). The future of vesicular drug delivery: Transferosomes in therapeutic advancement—applications, innovations and challenges. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 91, 12777116.
  31. Pawar, Y. A., et al. (2014). Formulation and evaluation of transferosomal gel of isotretinoin for severe acne. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 5(2), 65-72.
  32. Salmani, A. A., & Shrivastava, S. (2017). Elastic liposomes as novel carriers: Recent advances in drug delivery. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 12, 5087–5108. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s141868
  33. Rai, S., Pandey, V., & Rai, G. (2017). Transfersomes as versatile and flexible nano-vesicular carriers in skin cancer therapy: The state of the art. Nano Reviews & Experiments, 8(1), 1325708. https://doi.org/10.1080/20022727.2017.1325708
  34. Touitou, E., Dayan, N., Bergelson, L., Godin, B., & Eliaz, M. (2000). Ethosomes – novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: Characterization and skin penetration properties. Journal of Controlled Release, 65(3), 403-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(99)00222-9
  35. Abdulbaqi, I. M., Darwis, Y., Khan, N. A. K., Assi, R. A., & Khan, A. A. (2016). Ethosomal nanocarriers: The impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical efficacy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 2279-2304. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S105016
  36. Zhan, B., Wang, J., Li, H., Xiao, K., Fang, X., Shi, Y., & Jia, Y. (2024). Ethosomes: A promising drug delivery platform for transdermal application. Chemistry, 6(5), 993–1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6050058
  37. Verma, P., & Pathak, K. (2010). Therapeutic and cosmeceutical potential of ethosomes: An overview. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 1(3), 274–282.
  38. Iizhar, S. A., Syed, M. A., Khan, S., & Baboota, S. (2026). Ethosomes: A review on the novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Nanomedicine Journal, 13(1), 12-28.
  39. Garg, V., Singh, H., & Beg, S. (2025). Evolution of ethosomal systems for the delivery of diverse therapeutic agents. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 15(2), 442-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01612-4
  40. Akiladevi, D., & Basak, S. (2025). Ethosomes – A noninvasive approach for transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 17(1), 1-8.
  41. Zhang, J. P., Wei, Y. H., Zhou, Y., Li, Y. Q., & Wu, X. A. (2012). Ethosomes, binary ethosomes and transfersomes of terbinafine hydrochloride: A comparative study. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 35(1), 109-117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-012-0112-0
  42. Abdulbaqi, I. M., Darwis, Y., Khan, N. A. K., Assi, R. A., & Khan, A. A. (2016). Ethosomal nanocarriers: The impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical efficacy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 2279-2304. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S105016
  43. Zhan, B., Wang, J., Li, H., Xiao, K., Fang, X., Shi, Y., & Jia, Y. (2024). Ethosomes: A promising drug delivery platform for transdermal application. Chemistry, 6(5), 993–1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6050058
  44. Garg, V., Singh, H., & Beg, S. (2025). Evolution of ethosomal systems for the delivery of diverse therapeutic agents. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 15(2), 442-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01612-4
  45. Iizhar, S. A., Syed, M. A., Khan, S., & Baboota, S. (2026). Ethosomes: A review on the novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Nanomedicine Journal, 13(1), 12-28.
  46. Touitou, E., Dayan, N., Bergelson, L., Godin, B., & Eliaz, M. (2000). Ethosomes – novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: Characterization and skin penetration properties. Journal of Controlled Release, 65(3), 403-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(99)00222-9
  47. Akiladevi, D., & Basak, S. (2025). Ethosomes – A noninvasive approach for transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 17(1), 1-8.
  48. Mistry, S., et al. (2025). Design and development of ethosomal gel for the treatment of fungal infections. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 15(3), 88-95.
  49. Pathak, K., & Verma, P. (2010). Therapeutic and cosmeceutical potential of ethosomes: An overview. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 1(3), 274–282.
  50. Marto, J., et al. (2025). Ethosomes for testosterone replacement therapy: Formulation development and skin permeation. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 192, 106642.
  51. Sharma, G., et al. (2026). Phytopharmaceutical delivery through ethosomes: A focus on antioxidant compounds. Phytomedicine Plus, 6(1), 100412.
  52. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  53. Cevc, G. (2004). Lipid vesicles and Otrosomes for transdermal drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 56(5), 675-711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2003.10.028
  54. Touitou, E., Dayan, N., Bergelson, L., Godin, B., & Eliaz, M. (2000). Ethosomes – novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: Characterization and skin penetration properties. Journal of Controlled Release, 65(3), 403-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(99)00222-9
  55. Abdulbaqi, I. M., Darwis, Y., Khan, N. A. K., Assi, R. A., & Khan, A. A. (2016). Ethosomal nanocarriers: The impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical efficacy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 2279-2304. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S105016
  56. Ascenso, A., et al. (2015). Development, characterization, and skin delivery studies of related ultra-deformable vesicles: transfersomes, ethosomes, and transethosomes. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 10, 5837–5851. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s86186
  57. Zhang, J. P., et al. (2012). Ethosomes, binary ethosomes and transfersomes of terbinafine hydrochloride: A comparative study. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 35(1), 109-117.
  58. Rai, S., Pandey, V., & Rai, G. (2017). Transfersomes as versatile and flexible nano-vesicular carriers in skin cancer therapy: The state of the art. Nano Reviews & Experiments, 8(1), 1325708.
  59. Zhan, B., et al. (2024). Ethosomes: A promising drug delivery platform for transdermal application. Chemistry, 6(5), 993–1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6050058
  60. Ascenso, A., et al. (2015). Development, characterization, and skin delivery studies of related ultradeformable vesicles: transfersomes, ethosomes, and transethosomes. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 10, 5837–5851. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s86186
  61. Abdulbaqi, I. M., Darwis, Y., Khan, N. A. K., Assi, R. A., & Khan, A. A. (2016). Ethosomal nanocarriers: The impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical efficacy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 2279-2304.
  62. Witika, B. A., et al. (2026). The future of vesicular drug delivery: Transferosomes in therapeutic advancement—applications, innovations and challenges. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 91, 12777116.
  63. Garg V., Singh, H., & Beg, S. (2025). Evolution of ethosomal systems for the delivery of diverse therapeutic agents. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 15(2), 442-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01612-4
  64. Chauhan, N. (2017). An updated review on transfersomes: A novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2(4), 49–52.
  65. Sharma, G., et al. (2026). Phytopharmaceutical delivery through ethosomes: A focus on antioxidant compounds. Phytomedicine Plus, 6(1), 100412.
  66. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  67. Sivadasan, D., & Madkhali, O. A. (2024). The design features, quality by design approach, characterization, therapeutic applications, and clinical considerations of transdermal drug delivery systems—a comprehensive review. Pharmaceuticals, 17(10), 1346. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101346
  68. Opatha, S. A. T., Titapiwatanakun, V., & Chutoprapat, R. (2020). Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics, 12(9), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855
  69. Abdulbaqi, I. M., Darwis, Y., Khan, N. A. K., Assi, R. A., & Khan, A. A. (2016). Ethosomal nanocarriers: The impact of constituents and formulation techniques on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical efficacy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 2279-2304. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S105016
  70. Witika, B. A., et al. (2026). The future of vesicular drug delivery: Transferosomes in therapeutic advancement—applications, innovations and challenges. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 91, 12777116.
  71. Zhan, B., et al. (2024). Ethosomes: A promising drug delivery platform for transdermal application. Chemistry, 6(5), 993–1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry6050058
  72. Sivadasan, D., & Madkhali, O. A. (2024). The design features, quality by design approach, characterization, therapeutic applications, and clinical considerations of transdermal drug delivery systems—a comprehensive review. Pharmaceuticals, 17(10), 1346. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17101346
  73. Shingade, G. M. (2023). A review on: Transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(5), 4503-4512.
  74. Garg, V., Singh, H., & Beg, S. (2025). Evolution of ethosomal systems for the delivery of diverse therapeutic agents. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 15(2), 442-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-024-01612-4
  75. Iizhar, S. A., Syed, M. A., Khan, S., & Baboota, S. (2026). Ethosomes: A review on the novel vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. Nanomedicine Journal, 13(1), 12-28.
  76. Akiladevi, D., & Basak, S. (2025). Ethosomes - A noninvasive approach for transdermal drug delivery system. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, 17(1), 1-8.

Photo
Vaishnavi Gaddam
Corresponding author

Department of Pharmaceutics, D. K. Patil Institute of Pharmacy, Loha Nanded India 431708

Vaishnavi Gaddam*, Transfersomes and Ethosomes for Enhanced Transdermal Drug Delivery: Mechanistic Insights and Comparative Evaluation, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2026, 3 (2), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18519387

More related articles
An Overview of The Optimisation of 3D Printed Conc...
Harshad Raut, Dinanath Shegar, Prajwal Londhe, Abhishek Unde, Sah...
Design and Development of an Automated Work Handover and Task Continuity Managem...
Prathiksaa A. S., V. Krishnapriya, M. Jaithoon Bibi, ...
A Review on Herbal Drug Nanotechnology...
Suraj Kedar, Divya Palande, Aradhya Sase, Bhavesh Mohape, Pravin Gaykar, Pratiksha Sonawane, ...
Related Articles
The Importance of Heterocycles in Drug Discovery: From Biological Activity to Ph...
khot seema , khamkar sakshi , Kamble Shruti , Khamkar tejashree , shete supriya , ...
Development and Experimental Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles with Anti-Microb...
Sanket Dhangare, Vitthal Chopade, Chinmayee Chavan, Aditya Kasar, Mahesh Reddy , ...
Formulation and Evaluation of a Poly-Herbal Under-Eye Cream: A Comprehensive Stu...
Nirmala Korukola, Abdul Ayesha Begum, Dokala Keerthi Anjali, Kottalanka Gladish, Ponnapalli Divya Sr...