Visualization of ultradeformable liposomes penetration pathways and their skin interaction by confocal laser scanning microscopy

The objective of this study was to elucidate the skin penetration pathway of the generated ultradeformable liposomes (ULs) with terpenes for transdermal drug delivery of fluorescein sodium (NaFl). ULs with d-limonene were selected to investigate the penetration pathways and vesicle-skin interaction in terms of release and attachment processes via Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). A co-localization technique was employed to visualize the skin penetration behavior of UL-labeled red fluorescence (Rh-PE) and fluorescence-entrapped drug (NaFl) through porcine skin. Our results suggested that ULs with entrapped drug might attach to any part of the skin before releasing the entrapped drug into the skin. Most ULs and entrapped drug penetrated through hair follicles more than through the nonfollicular region. In summary, the transfollicular pathway was the major penetration pathway of ULs with d-limonene for transdermal drug delivery of NaFl, whereas the intercellular and transcellular pathways were the minor penetration pathways.