AN OVERVIEW OF TRANSFERSOMAL DRUG DELIVERY

Vesicular systems have gained immense importance in the last few years as a means for sustained and efficient drug delivery. This article was designed to review all aspects of a novel class of vesicles, transfersomes. Tranfersomes and the fundamental concept of transfersomes were launched by Gregor Cevc in the year 1991. It exists as an ultra-deformable complex having a hydrated core surrounded by a complex layer of lipid. The carrier aggregate is composed of at least one amphipathic molecule (like phospholipids) which when added to aqueous systems self-assemble into a bilayer of lipid which eventually closes into a lipid vesicle and one bilayer softening agent which is generally a surfactant which is responsible for the flexibility of the vesicle. Transfersomes provide the primary advantage of higher entrapment efficiency along with a depot formation which releases the contents slowly. The characterisation of transfersomes is similar to that of other vesicles like liposomes, niosomes and micelles. Transfersomes can be used for delivery of insulin, corticosteroids, proteins and peptides, interferons, anti-cancer drugs, anaesthetics, NSAIDs and herbal drugs. Certain disadvantages associated with transfersomes including deformation by a highly hydrophobic drug can be overcome by preparing transethosomes having characteristics of both transfersomes and ethosomes and has a mechanism of action that is a fusion of the mechanism of action of both. Deformability and penetration studies have proven that transethosomes provides a deeper penetration of the skin.