Invasomes

Invasomes are a novel type of drug delivery system that have been developed to enhance the penetration of drugs through the skin. They are vesicular systems similar to liposomes and ethosomes, but with the added advantage of being able to penetrate deeper into the skin due to the presence of terpenes, which are penetration enhancers.

Composition

Invasomes consist of phospholipids, ethanol, and terpenes. The phospholipids form the vesicular structure, while the ethanol acts as a permeation enhancer. The terpenes are the key component that differentiates invasomes from other vesicular systems, as they are responsible for the enhanced penetration ability of invasomes.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action of invasomes involves the disruption of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, by the terpenes. This allows the invasomes to penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering the drug to the desired site of action.

Applications

Invasomes have been studied for use in a variety of applications, including the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cosmeceuticals. They have also been investigated for use in transdermal drug delivery, due to their ability to penetrate deep into the skin.

Advantages

The main advantage of invasomes is their ability to enhance the penetration of drugs through the skin. This can improve the efficacy of drugs, particularly those that are intended for local action. Invasomes also have the potential to reduce side effects, as they can deliver drugs directly to the site of action, reducing systemic exposure.

Disadvantages

While invasomes have many advantages, they also have some potential disadvantages. These include the potential for skin irritation due to the presence of terpenes, and the potential for instability of the vesicles.

Future Research

Future research on invasomes is likely to focus on optimizing their composition and formulation to maximize their penetration-enhancing properties, while minimizing any potential side effects.