Positively charged lipid as potential tool to influence the fate of ethosomes

Abstract

Ethosomes® are one of the main deformable vesicles proposed to overcome the stratum corneum. They are composed of lecithin, ethanol and water, resulting in round vesicles characterized by a narrow size distribution and a negative surface charge. Taking into account their efficiency to deliver drugs into deeper skin layers, the current study was designed to evaluate the influence of different lipids on the physico-chemical features of traditional ethosomes in the attempt to influence their fate. Three lipids (DOPE, DSPE and DOTAP) were used for the study, but only DOTAP conferred a net positive charge to ethosomes, maintaining a narrow mean size lower than 300 nm and a good polydispersity index. Stability and in vitro cytotoxic studies have been performed using Turbiscan Lab analysis and MTT dye exclusion assay, respectively. Data recorded demonstrated the good stability of modified ethosomes and a reasonable absence of cell mortality when applied to human keratinocytes, NCTC 2544, which are used as a cell model. Finally, the best formulations were selected to evaluate their ability to encapsulate drugs, through the use of model compounds. Cationic ethosomes encapsulated oil red o and rhodamine b in amounts comparable to those recorded from conventional ethosomes (over 50%). Results recorded from this study are encouraging as cationic ethosomes may open new opportunities for skin delivery.