Abstract

HERBAL ETHOSOMES FOR ENHANCED TOPICAL AND TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY: FORMULATION STRATEGIES, THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS, CURRENT ADVANCES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Ruchita Raghuvanshi*, Ankit Sharma, Krishna Thakur, Rajnandani Suryawanshi, Riya Rokade, Goutam Kumrawat, Sumit Patidar, Gopal Verma

Abstract

Herbal medicines have received significant attention for treating various skin disorders and fungal infections. This interest stems from their effectiveness, natural origin, and good safety profile. However, many plant compounds have poor water solubility, low stability, limited ability to penetrate the skin, and low bioavailability. These factors limit their effectiveness in clinical settings. Ethosomes are carriers made from phospholipids and contain a high level of ethanol. They have emerged as promising nanocarriers that can improve the delivery of herbal bioactive compounds through the skin. The unique structure of ethosomes enhances their flexibility and skin penetration. This helps deliver both water-soluble and fatsoluble plant compounds into deeper layers of the skin. This review outlines the key aspects of herbal ethosomes. It covers their composition, preparation methods, how they penetrate the skin, characterization techniques, and therapeutic uses. Recent developments in herbal ethosomal formulations with ingredients like curcumin, neem, tea tree oil, aloe vera, garlic, and other plant-derived compounds are discussed. The focus is on their improved antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and skin-related effects. Additionally, the review highlights current challenges. These include issues with formulation stability, large-scale manufacturing, regulatory concerns, and clinical application. Emerging trends such as Quality-by-Design, green nanotechnology, hybrid vesicular systems, and formulation development using artificial intelligence are also examined. Overall, herbal ethosomes present a promising method for enhancing the delivery, availability, and effectiveness of herbal medicines. They show great potential for future use in pharmaceuticals and skin-care products.

Keywords: [Herbal ethosomes, nanovesicular carriers, topical drug delivery, transdermal delivery, phytoconstituents, skin permeation, herbal nanotechnology, antifungal therapy}.