Confronting Penetration Threshold via Fluidic Terpenoid Nanovesicles

Background: Improvisation of the nanosized vesicular systems has led to a series of useful developments including the deformable vesicles namely transfersomes, ethosomes and invasomes. The former two have been explored extensively, however, literature on invasomes is relatively scanty. Method: Invasomal formulations researched for various applications have been reviewed using search engine “Scopus”. The present review focuses on the update of the research activity on effectiveness and permeation enhancing effects of invasomes for dermal and topical delivery. Result: Many research reports could be found on invasomes in the literature but scarce patent citations were found. The present write up elaborates the mechanism of penetration, and compiles literature dental applications of the invasomes, the detection ability, use in photodynamic therapy, pilosebaceous targeting, and for delivery of macromolecules. The use of massage and microneedles for penetration enhancement is the newer element in this area. Interestingly, the majority of research has been reported on temoporfin molecule but scarce literature is available for other molecules, so the area provides ample research opportunities. The review also highlights toxicity fact sheet of commonly used terpenes for invasome formulation. Conclusion: Though invasomes present an advantageous system for enhanced topical delivery but it needs to be assessed for dermatopharmacokinetics; safety and toxicity issues on long term usage.