Phytochemical Delivery Through Transferosome (Phytosome): An Advanced Transdermal Drug Delivery for Complementary Medicines

Transdermal drug delivery aims to create a safe and effective method of administering drugs through the skin that attracts a lot of attention and investment due to the constant progress in the field. Transferosomes are flexible or malleable vesicles (having almost the same structure as liposomes but with better skin penetration properties) discovered initially in the early 90s. The name transferosomes, which means carrying bodies, is coined from the Latin phrase Transferee, which means to carry through, and the Greek term soma, meaning body. In comparison to typical herbal extracts, phytosomes (Transferosomes) are created by attaching specific herbal extracts to phosphatidylcholine, resulting in a formulation with increased solubility and, hence, better absorption, resulting in improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of the entrapped drugs. We are using the word phytosomes and transferosomes interchangeably as we have consolidated vesicular delivery of herbal drugs through skin. In this mini-review, we have demonstrated the enormous potential of developing nanotechnology to deliver bioactive phytochemicals, with a special emphasis on phytosomes (Transferosomes) as a unique lipid-based nanocarrier for transdermal drug delivery.

Automated summary

Transdermal drug delivery is a safe and effective method of administering drugs through the skin. Transferosomes, flexible vesicles with better skin penetration properties, have been discovered as a promising carrier for transdermal drug delivery. By attaching specific herbal extracts to phosphatidylcholine, phytosomes (Transferosomes) improve drug solubility and absorption. This review highlights the potential of nanotechnology, particularly phytosomes, as lipid-based nanocarriers for transdermal drug delivery.