title: A novel nanovesicular carrier system to deliver drug topically.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ketoconazole, a lipophilic drug with a large molecular weight of 531.44 Da and a limiting aqueous solubility of 0.04 mg/ml is expected to show a poor transport across the skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The work describes usefulness of a novel, surfactant based elastic vesicular drug carrier system (SEVs), for enhanced dermal delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The system constitutes Span 60 and an edge activator (Tween 80) and was characterized and monitored for safety and potential to target deeper mice skin layers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nanosized (126 nm), elastic vesicles showed significantly high skin penetration and retention as compared to free drug suspension. Incorporation into different bases especially a hydrogel showed a significant retention which was even more than the market formulation (Nizral(®)). Safety was confirmed as cytotoxicity and acute dermal irritation/corrosion. Topically applied fluorescent vesicles labeled with 6-carboxyfluorescein, on mice skin, were observed intact in dermal layer 6 h post application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicate that SEVs can be used to enhance skin delivery of the model high molecular weight and poorly water-soluble drug ketoconazole. The developed nanorange system is an effective system for targeting deeper mice skin layers which may be translated to human skin with suitable modifications, if required.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakkar
authors.forename: Indu Pal
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Kaur
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents