Ethanol is an efficient permeation enhancer that is believed to act by affecting the intercellular region of the stratum corneum. The high concentration of ethanol makes ethosomes unique. It allows the vesicles to penetrate the stratum corneum. Ethosomes vesicles are novel non-invasive lipid carriers consisting of ethanol (at relatively high concentrations), phospholipids, and water that enable drugs to reach deeper skin layers and/or the somatic circulation for improved dermal and transdermal drug delivery of various drugs.

Protheragen-ING specializes in providing cutting-edge solutions for ethosomes-based drug delivery systems and development. With our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, we offer comprehensive services to meet your specific needs and ensure the successful creation of innovative ethosomes formulations.

Fig. 1 Ethosomes can be subdivided based on their compositions. (Chauhan N, et al. 2022)

How do ethosomes function?

Vesicles, ethanol, and skin lipids interact synergistically in the function of the alcohol plasmid.

• Ethanol effect - Ethanol interacts with lipid molecules in the polar headgroup region, leading to a decrease in the transition temperature of lipids in the stratum corneum, increasing their mobility and decreasing the density of lipid multilayers.
• Ethosome effect - Lipid penetration and permeation by opening new pathways due to the plasticity and fusion of the alcohol plasmid with skin lipids, leading to drug release into the deeper layers of the skin.
• Ethanol also provides vesicles with soft and flexible properties, making it easier for them to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Services We Can Offer

• Ethosomes Formulation Development: We employ advanced techniques and technologies to optimize the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and bioavailability of your active ingredients.
• Characterization and Evaluation: We offer a comprehensive range of characterization and evaluation services to assess the physicochemical properties, stability, skin permeation, and release kinetics of your ethosomes formulations.
• Formulation Optimization: We employ advanced formulation strategies to enhance drug loading capacity, skin penetration, and overall efficacy of your ethosomes-based products.
• Scale-up and Manufacturing Support: Our manufacturing experts ensure that the developed ethosomes formulation can be efficiently produced on a larger scale without compromising its quality and stability.
• Regulatory Compliance: Our team stays up-to-date with the latest regulations and guidelines, ensuring that your formulation complies with the relevant standards.

Our Preparation Capabilities

We possess the expertise and infrastructure to develop various types of ethosomes formulations, including but not limited to:

• Lipid-based Ethosomes
• Hydrophilic Ethosomes
• Hybrid Ethosomes
• Cationic Ethosomes
• Targeted Ethosomes

Fig. 2 Ethosomes containing indomethacin were prepared with various concentrations of soybean phosphatidylcholine, ethanol and with different dispersion media and additives. (Sakdiset P, et al. 2019)

We employ a range of lipids, surfactants, and other excipients to tailor the properties and characteristics of ethosomes according to your specific requirements. Our formulation experts will work closely with you to determine the most suitable ethosomes type for your desired application.

Preparation Method of Ethosomes

• Cold method

At room temperature, with vigorous shaking, the ethanol is dissolved in the phospholipids, medicine, and other lipid components. The jar is then heated to 30 ℃.

In another beaker, water is heated to 30 ℃ before being introduced and continuously swirled into the initial mixture. Vesicles start to emerge after 5 min of churning. It's important to keep produced vesicles cold.

• Hot method

The hot procedure entails combining the medication with ethanol and propylene glycol. At 40 ℃, phospholipid dispersion in water is created. This dispersion is combined with a previously produced mixture. Size reduction is next accomplished by sonication or extrusion after this final combination is heated to 30 ℃.

Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and discover how our services can help you bring your innovative ethosomes formulations to market successfully.