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Review Article
Transethosomes: A Comprehensive Review of Ultradeformable Vesicular System for Enhanced Transdermal Drug Delivery System
D. Dhivya1
G. Hemalatha2
Dr. S. Swarnlatha3
Dr. J. Karthi4
1 B. Pharm, Pallavan Pharmacy College, Tamil Nadu, India. 2 3 Department of Pharmacology, Pallavan Pharmacy College, Tamil Nadu, India. 4 Department of Pharmacognosy, Pallavan Pharmacy College, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published Online: July-August 2026
Pages: 256-266
Cite this article
↗ https://www.doi.org/10.59256/ijrtmr.20260604029References
1. Maranduca M, Hurjui L, Branisteanu D, Serban D, Branisteanu D, Dima N, et al. Skin - a vast organ with immunological
function(Review).Exp Ther Med.2020.
2. Gilaberte Y, Prieto-Torres L, Pastushenko I, Juarranz Á. Anatomy and Function of the Skin. In:
NanoscienceinDermatology.Elsevier;2016.p.1– 14.
3. Guimier E, Carson L, David B, Lambthe JM, Heery E, Malcolm RK. Pharmacological approaches for
thepreventionofbreastimplantcapsularcontracture. JSurgRes.2022;280:129– 50.
4. Paul A. Drug Absorption and Bioavailability. In: Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Singapore: Springer Singapore;
2019.p.81– 8.
5. Zhou Q, Jin J, Zhu L, Chen M, Xu H, Wang H, et al. The optimal choice of medication administration route regarding intravenous,
intramuscular, and subcutaneous injection. Patient Prefer Adherence.2015;9:923– 42.
6. Jeong WY, Kwon M, Choi HE, Kim KS. Recent advances in transdermal drug delivery systems: a review.BiomaterRes.2021;25:24.
7. Purushotham K, Anie Vijetha K. A review on transdermal drug delivery systems. GSCBiol Pharm Sci.2023;22:245– 55.
8. Alkilani A, McCrudden MT, Donnelly R. Transdermal drug delivery: innovative pharmaceutical developments based on disruption of the
barrier properties of the stratum corneum. Pharmaceutics.2015;7:438–70.
9. Gaikwad SS, Zanje AL, Somwanshi JD. Advancements in transdermal drug delivery: a comprehensive review of physical penetration
enhancement techniques. Int J Pharm. 2024;652:123856.
10. Yu YQ, Yang X, Wu XF, Fan YB. Enhancing permeation of drug molecules across the skin via delivery in nanocarriers: novel strategies
for effective transdermal applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol.2021;9:646554.
11. Singh RP, Gangadharappa HV, Mruthunjaya K. Phospholipids: unique carriers for drug delivery systems. J
DrugDelivSciTechnol.2017;39:166– 79.
12. Abbasi H, Kouchak M, Mirveis Z, Hajipour F, Khodarahmi M, Rahbar N, et al. What we need to knowaboutliposomesasdrugnanocarriers:
anupdatedreview.AdvPharmBull.2023;13(1):7–23.
13. 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). IntJMolSci.2021;22:9743.
14. NayakD,Tippavajhala VK. A comprehensive review on preparation, evaluation and applications of deformable liposomes.
IranJPharmRes.2021;20:186– 205.
15. Kumar B, Sahoo PK. Potential of ethosomes for enhanced transdermal drug delivery in skin diseases.NanomedJ.2022;9:273– 80.
16. TiwariG,TiwariR,SinghR, RaiAK.Ultra-deformableliposomesasflexible nanovesicularcarrier to penetrate versatile drugs transdermally.
NanosciNanotechnol-Asia. 2020;10:12– 20.
17. SeenivasanR, Halagali P, NayakD,TippavajhalaVK. Transethosomes: a comprehensive review of ultra-deformable vesicular systems for
enhanced transdermal drug delivery. AAPS PharmSciTech.2025;26:45.
18. Munir M, et al. A comprehensive review on transethosomes as a novel vesicular approach for drugdeliverythroughtransdermalroute.
JLiposomeRes.2024;34(1):203– 18.
19. Cevc G. Transfersomes, liposomes and other lipid suspensions on the skin: permeation enhancement, vesicle penetration, and transdermal
drug delivery. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst.1996;13(3– 4):257– 388.
20. Touitou E, Dayan N, Bergelson L, Godin B, Eliaz M. Ethosomes — novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: characterization and
skin penetration properties. J Control Release. 2000;65(3):403– 18.21. Ascenso A, Raposo S, Batista C, Cardoso P, Mendes T, Praça FG, et al. Development, characterization, and skin delivery studies of related
ultradeformable vesicles: transfersomes, ethosomesandtransethosomes. IntJNanomedicine.2015;10:5837– 51.
22. Abdulbaqi IM, Darwis Y, Khan NA, Assi RA, Khan AA. Ethosomal nanocarriers: the impact of constituents and formulation techniques
on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical trials. IntJNanomedicine.2016;11:2279– 304.
23. Opatha SAT, Titapiwatanakun V, Chutoprapat R. Transfersomes: a promising nanoencapsulationtechniquefortransdermal
drugdelivery.Pharmaceutics.2020;12(9):855.
24. Priyanka K, Singh S. A review on skin targeted delivery of bioactives as ultradeformable
vesicles:overcomingthepenetrationproblem.CurrDrugTargets.2014;15(2):184–98.
25. Costanzo M, Esposito E, Sguizzato M, Carducci F, Nastruzzi C, Valacchi G, et al. Formulative study and intracellular fate evaluation of
ethosomes and transethosomes for vitamin D3 delivery. IntJMolSci.2021;22(10):5341.
26. Bajaj KJ, Parab BS, Shidhaye SS. Nano-transethosomes: a novel tool for drug delivery through skin. IndianJPharm EducRes.2021;55:s1–
13.
27. Kumar L, Utreja P. Formulation and characterization of transethosomes for enhanced transdermaldelivery of
propranololhydrochloride.MicroNanosyst.2019;12:38– 47.
28. Verma S, Utreja P. Transethosomes of econazole nitrate for transdermal delivery: development, in-vitro characterization, and ex-vivo
assessment. Pharm Nanotechnol. 2018;6(3):171– 9.
29. Farooq M,Usman F, Zaib S, Shah HS, Jamil QA, Akbar SheikhF, et al. Fabrication and evaluation of voriconazole loaded transethosomal
gel for enhanced antifungal and antileishmania activity. Molecules.2022;27(10):3347.
30. Asghar Z, Jamshaid T, Sajid-ur-Rehman M, Jamshaid U, Gad HA. Novel transethosomal gel containing miconazole nitrate; development,
characterization, and enhanced antifungal activity. Pharmaceutics.2023;15(11):2537.
31. Khalid H, Batool S, Din F ud, Khan S, Khan GM. Macrophage targeting of nitazoxanide-loaded transethosomal gel
incutaneousleishmaniasis.R SocOpenSci.2022;9:220428.
32. Albash R, Abdelbary A, Refai H, El-Nabarawi M. Use of transethosomes for enhancing the transdermal delivery of olmesartan medoxomil:
in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo evaluation. Int J Nanomedicine.2019;14:1953– 68.
33. Soliman SM, Rashwan KO, Teaima M, Jasti BR, El-Nabarawi MA, Abdel-Haleem KM. Transethosomes as breakthroughtool for
controlled transdermal delivery of dexketoprofen trometamol: design, fabrication, statistical optimization, in vitro, and ex vivo
characterization. IntJApplPharm.2022;14:51–7.
34. Abdellatif AA, Aldosari BN, Al-Subaiyel A, Alhaddad A, Samman WA, Eleraky NE, et al. Transethosomal gel for the topical delivery of
celecoxib: formulation and estimation of skin cancer progression.Pharmaceutics.2023;15(1):22.
35. Rahangdale M, Pandey P. Development and characterization of apremilast transethosomal gel for transdermal delivery. IntJ
PharmSciNanotechnol.2021;14(3):5508– 18.
36. Laouini A, Jaafar-Maalej C, Limayem-Blouza I, Sfar S, Charcosset C, Fessi H. Preparation, characterization and applications of liposomes:
state of the art. J Colloid Sci Biotechnol. 2012;1(2):147– 68.
37. GuoT, Lu J, FanY, ZhangY, Yin S, ShaX, FengN. TPGS assists the percutaneous administration of curcumin and glycyrrhetinic acid
coloaded functionalized ethosomes for the synergistic treatment of psoriasis. IntJPharm. 2021;604:120762.
38. Chowdary MS, et al. Exploring the potential of transethosomes in therapeutic delivery: a comprehensivereview.MedCommBiomaterAppl.
2023;2(4):e59.
39. Ge X, Wei M, He S, Yuan WE. Advances of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) and their
applicationindrugdelivery.Pharmaceutics.2019;11(2):55.
40. LombardoD, Kiselev MA. Methods of liposomes preparation: formation and control factors of versatile nanocarriers for biomedical and
nanomedicine application. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(3):543.
41. Cevc G, Blume G. New, highly efficient formulation of diclofenac for the topical, transdermal administration in ultradeformable drug
carriers, transfersomes. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001;1514(2):191– 205.
42. El Maghraby GM, Williams AC, Barry BW. Skin delivery of oestradiol from deformable and traditional liposomes: mechanistic studies.
JPharmPharmacol.1999;51(10):1123– 34.
43. Trotta M, Peira E, Carlotti ME, Gallarate M. Deformable liposomes for dermal administration of methotrexate. IntJPharm.2004;270(1–
2):119– 25.
44. Verma DD, Fahr A. Synergistic penetration effect of ethanol and phospholipids on the topical deliveryofcyclosporinA. JControl Release.
2004;97(1):55– 66.
45. Elsayed MM, Abdallah OY, Naggar VF, Khalafallah NM. Deformable liposomes and ethosomes: mechanism of enhanced skin delivery.
IntJPharm.2007;332(1– 2):1– 16.
46. Nayak D, et al. Formulation, optimization and evaluation of novel ultra-deformable vesicular drugdeliverysystemfor ananti-
fungaldrug.AAPSPharmSciTech.2020.
47. Farooq M, Usman F, Zaib S, Shah HS, Jamil QA, Akbar Sheikh F, et al. Formulation optimization and characterization of bifonazole-loaded
transethosomal gel by 3 2 factorial design for the treatment of topical fungal infection.BioNanoScience.2025.
48. Yousef H, Alhajj M, Sharma S. Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. TreasureIsland(FL):
StatPearlsPublishing;2023.
49. Kanitakis J. Anatomy, histology and immunohistochemistry of normal human skin. Eur J Dermatol.2002;12(4):390– 401.
50. Benson HAE. Transdermal drug delivery: penetration enhancement techniques. Curr Drug Deliv.2005;2(1):23–33.
function(Review).Exp Ther Med.2020.
2. Gilaberte Y, Prieto-Torres L, Pastushenko I, Juarranz Á. Anatomy and Function of the Skin. In:
NanoscienceinDermatology.Elsevier;2016.p.1– 14.
3. Guimier E, Carson L, David B, Lambthe JM, Heery E, Malcolm RK. Pharmacological approaches for
thepreventionofbreastimplantcapsularcontracture. JSurgRes.2022;280:129– 50.
4. Paul A. Drug Absorption and Bioavailability. In: Introduction to Basics of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Singapore: Springer Singapore;
2019.p.81– 8.
5. Zhou Q, Jin J, Zhu L, Chen M, Xu H, Wang H, et al. The optimal choice of medication administration route regarding intravenous,
intramuscular, and subcutaneous injection. Patient Prefer Adherence.2015;9:923– 42.
6. Jeong WY, Kwon M, Choi HE, Kim KS. Recent advances in transdermal drug delivery systems: a review.BiomaterRes.2021;25:24.
7. Purushotham K, Anie Vijetha K. A review on transdermal drug delivery systems. GSCBiol Pharm Sci.2023;22:245– 55.
8. Alkilani A, McCrudden MT, Donnelly R. Transdermal drug delivery: innovative pharmaceutical developments based on disruption of the
barrier properties of the stratum corneum. Pharmaceutics.2015;7:438–70.
9. Gaikwad SS, Zanje AL, Somwanshi JD. Advancements in transdermal drug delivery: a comprehensive review of physical penetration
enhancement techniques. Int J Pharm. 2024;652:123856.
10. Yu YQ, Yang X, Wu XF, Fan YB. Enhancing permeation of drug molecules across the skin via delivery in nanocarriers: novel strategies
for effective transdermal applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol.2021;9:646554.
11. Singh RP, Gangadharappa HV, Mruthunjaya K. Phospholipids: unique carriers for drug delivery systems. J
DrugDelivSciTechnol.2017;39:166– 79.
12. Abbasi H, Kouchak M, Mirveis Z, Hajipour F, Khodarahmi M, Rahbar N, et al. What we need to knowaboutliposomesasdrugnanocarriers:
anupdatedreview.AdvPharmBull.2023;13(1):7–23.
13. 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). IntJMolSci.2021;22:9743.
14. NayakD,Tippavajhala VK. A comprehensive review on preparation, evaluation and applications of deformable liposomes.
IranJPharmRes.2021;20:186– 205.
15. Kumar B, Sahoo PK. Potential of ethosomes for enhanced transdermal drug delivery in skin diseases.NanomedJ.2022;9:273– 80.
16. TiwariG,TiwariR,SinghR, RaiAK.Ultra-deformableliposomesasflexible nanovesicularcarrier to penetrate versatile drugs transdermally.
NanosciNanotechnol-Asia. 2020;10:12– 20.
17. SeenivasanR, Halagali P, NayakD,TippavajhalaVK. Transethosomes: a comprehensive review of ultra-deformable vesicular systems for
enhanced transdermal drug delivery. AAPS PharmSciTech.2025;26:45.
18. Munir M, et al. A comprehensive review on transethosomes as a novel vesicular approach for drugdeliverythroughtransdermalroute.
JLiposomeRes.2024;34(1):203– 18.
19. Cevc G. Transfersomes, liposomes and other lipid suspensions on the skin: permeation enhancement, vesicle penetration, and transdermal
drug delivery. Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst.1996;13(3– 4):257– 388.
20. Touitou E, Dayan N, Bergelson L, Godin B, Eliaz M. Ethosomes — novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: characterization and
skin penetration properties. J Control Release. 2000;65(3):403– 18.21. Ascenso A, Raposo S, Batista C, Cardoso P, Mendes T, Praça FG, et al. Development, characterization, and skin delivery studies of related
ultradeformable vesicles: transfersomes, ethosomesandtransethosomes. IntJNanomedicine.2015;10:5837– 51.
22. Abdulbaqi IM, Darwis Y, Khan NA, Assi RA, Khan AA. Ethosomal nanocarriers: the impact of constituents and formulation techniques
on ethosomal properties, in vivo studies, and clinical trials. IntJNanomedicine.2016;11:2279– 304.
23. Opatha SAT, Titapiwatanakun V, Chutoprapat R. Transfersomes: a promising nanoencapsulationtechniquefortransdermal
drugdelivery.Pharmaceutics.2020;12(9):855.
24. Priyanka K, Singh S. A review on skin targeted delivery of bioactives as ultradeformable
vesicles:overcomingthepenetrationproblem.CurrDrugTargets.2014;15(2):184–98.
25. Costanzo M, Esposito E, Sguizzato M, Carducci F, Nastruzzi C, Valacchi G, et al. Formulative study and intracellular fate evaluation of
ethosomes and transethosomes for vitamin D3 delivery. IntJMolSci.2021;22(10):5341.
26. Bajaj KJ, Parab BS, Shidhaye SS. Nano-transethosomes: a novel tool for drug delivery through skin. IndianJPharm EducRes.2021;55:s1–
13.
27. Kumar L, Utreja P. Formulation and characterization of transethosomes for enhanced transdermaldelivery of
propranololhydrochloride.MicroNanosyst.2019;12:38– 47.
28. Verma S, Utreja P. Transethosomes of econazole nitrate for transdermal delivery: development, in-vitro characterization, and ex-vivo
assessment. Pharm Nanotechnol. 2018;6(3):171– 9.
29. Farooq M,Usman F, Zaib S, Shah HS, Jamil QA, Akbar SheikhF, et al. Fabrication and evaluation of voriconazole loaded transethosomal
gel for enhanced antifungal and antileishmania activity. Molecules.2022;27(10):3347.
30. Asghar Z, Jamshaid T, Sajid-ur-Rehman M, Jamshaid U, Gad HA. Novel transethosomal gel containing miconazole nitrate; development,
characterization, and enhanced antifungal activity. Pharmaceutics.2023;15(11):2537.
31. Khalid H, Batool S, Din F ud, Khan S, Khan GM. Macrophage targeting of nitazoxanide-loaded transethosomal gel
incutaneousleishmaniasis.R SocOpenSci.2022;9:220428.
32. Albash R, Abdelbary A, Refai H, El-Nabarawi M. Use of transethosomes for enhancing the transdermal delivery of olmesartan medoxomil:
in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo evaluation. Int J Nanomedicine.2019;14:1953– 68.
33. Soliman SM, Rashwan KO, Teaima M, Jasti BR, El-Nabarawi MA, Abdel-Haleem KM. Transethosomes as breakthroughtool for
controlled transdermal delivery of dexketoprofen trometamol: design, fabrication, statistical optimization, in vitro, and ex vivo
characterization. IntJApplPharm.2022;14:51–7.
34. Abdellatif AA, Aldosari BN, Al-Subaiyel A, Alhaddad A, Samman WA, Eleraky NE, et al. Transethosomal gel for the topical delivery of
celecoxib: formulation and estimation of skin cancer progression.Pharmaceutics.2023;15(1):22.
35. Rahangdale M, Pandey P. Development and characterization of apremilast transethosomal gel for transdermal delivery. IntJ
PharmSciNanotechnol.2021;14(3):5508– 18.
36. Laouini A, Jaafar-Maalej C, Limayem-Blouza I, Sfar S, Charcosset C, Fessi H. Preparation, characterization and applications of liposomes:
state of the art. J Colloid Sci Biotechnol. 2012;1(2):147– 68.
37. GuoT, Lu J, FanY, ZhangY, Yin S, ShaX, FengN. TPGS assists the percutaneous administration of curcumin and glycyrrhetinic acid
coloaded functionalized ethosomes for the synergistic treatment of psoriasis. IntJPharm. 2021;604:120762.
38. Chowdary MS, et al. Exploring the potential of transethosomes in therapeutic delivery: a comprehensivereview.MedCommBiomaterAppl.
2023;2(4):e59.
39. Ge X, Wei M, He S, Yuan WE. Advances of non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) and their
applicationindrugdelivery.Pharmaceutics.2019;11(2):55.
40. LombardoD, Kiselev MA. Methods of liposomes preparation: formation and control factors of versatile nanocarriers for biomedical and
nanomedicine application. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(3):543.
41. Cevc G, Blume G. New, highly efficient formulation of diclofenac for the topical, transdermal administration in ultradeformable drug
carriers, transfersomes. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001;1514(2):191– 205.
42. El Maghraby GM, Williams AC, Barry BW. Skin delivery of oestradiol from deformable and traditional liposomes: mechanistic studies.
JPharmPharmacol.1999;51(10):1123– 34.
43. Trotta M, Peira E, Carlotti ME, Gallarate M. Deformable liposomes for dermal administration of methotrexate. IntJPharm.2004;270(1–
2):119– 25.
44. Verma DD, Fahr A. Synergistic penetration effect of ethanol and phospholipids on the topical deliveryofcyclosporinA. JControl Release.
2004;97(1):55– 66.
45. Elsayed MM, Abdallah OY, Naggar VF, Khalafallah NM. Deformable liposomes and ethosomes: mechanism of enhanced skin delivery.
IntJPharm.2007;332(1– 2):1– 16.
46. Nayak D, et al. Formulation, optimization and evaluation of novel ultra-deformable vesicular drugdeliverysystemfor ananti-
fungaldrug.AAPSPharmSciTech.2020.
47. Farooq M, Usman F, Zaib S, Shah HS, Jamil QA, Akbar Sheikh F, et al. Formulation optimization and characterization of bifonazole-loaded
transethosomal gel by 3 2 factorial design for the treatment of topical fungal infection.BioNanoScience.2025.
48. Yousef H, Alhajj M, Sharma S. Anatomy, Skin (Integument), Epidermis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. TreasureIsland(FL):
StatPearlsPublishing;2023.
49. Kanitakis J. Anatomy, histology and immunohistochemistry of normal human skin. Eur J Dermatol.2002;12(4):390– 401.
50. Benson HAE. Transdermal drug delivery: penetration enhancement techniques. Curr Drug Deliv.2005;2(1):23–33.
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