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Abstract

Transferosomes are highly flexible and deformable vesicular carriers that have attracted considerable attention as promising systems for transdermal drug delivery. They are mainly composed of phospholipids, surfactants, and water. Their remarkable deformability enables them to pass through very small pores and intercellular pathways in the skin while maintaining structural integrity, facilitating the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients into deeper skin layers and, in some cases, systemic circulation. This review examines the composition, mechanisms, applications, advantages, and limitations of transferosomes in transdermal drug delivery. Surfactants enhance skin permeation by reducing interfacial tension and increasing vesicular flexibility and deformability. Consequently, transferosomes can effectively deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, potentially improving bioavailability and reducing the need for oral administration. They have shown promising applications in delivering anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer drugs, as well as hormones, peptides, proteins, and other biologically active compounds. They may also provide controlled drug release and protect drugs from degradation. Despite these advantages, challenges include physical and chemical instability, drug leakage, difficulties in large-scale manufacturing, and limited clinical evidence. Further research is required to optimize formulations, improve stability, evaluate long-term safety, and confirm clinical efficacy, reproducibility, and therapeutic potential.

Keywords

Drug Nano Particle Skin Permeation Transdermal Drug Delivery Transferosomes

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Yousofzai, R., Zhakfar, A. M., & Raihan, R. (2026). The Role of Transferosomes in Enhancing Transdermal Drug Delivery. Journal of Natural Sciences – Kabul University, 9(2), 159–178. https://doi.org/10.62810/jns.v9i2.578
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