title: Colloidal carriers for the enhanced delivery through the skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The skin is the largest organ of our body and acts as a protective barrier with sensory and immunological functions. Its peculiar structure influences the passage of bioactives and only its modulation can facilitate the drug dermal/transdermal diffusion. In the past few years research in this field has assured better use of this application area.
  
  
  METHODS
  One of the most promising approaches is the use of drug delivery devices; this review explains the state of the art of drug transport through the skin by means of vesicular (classic liposomes, Transfersomes, niosomes and ethosomes) and particulate systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colloidal drug delivery systems are important in the field of drug delivery systems as their different characteristics make them suitable for various purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacobiological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Campus Universitario, Viale Europa I, Germaneto (CZ), Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cilurzo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trapasso
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paolino
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D053758:Nanoparticles; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes