Stratum corneum lipid liposomes: Drug delivery systems and skin models

Abstract

The identification of the lipid composition and organization of the stratum corneum (SC) lipid lamellae encouraged researchers to prepare liposomes of lipid composition approximating the SC lipids. These vesicles were morphologically similar to the standard liposomes and were termed stratum corneum lipid liposomes (SCLL). The dependence of vesicular skin drug delivery on the composition of liposomes attracted the investigators to probe the potential of SCLL as skin drug delivery systems. The initial results were promising with most investigations recording at least improved skin deposition of drugs from SCLL compared to standard liposomes or other delivery systems. Recently, authors went further and tried to modify the composition of SCLL to improve the fusogenicity and flexibility of the vesicular membrane. The later trial is premature and requires further investigations. In addition to the success of SCLL as skin drug delivery systems, great success and high potential were reported for them as skin model membranes. This chapter will summarize the feasibility of SCLL as drug delivery systems and as model membranes for the skin.