Glycerosomes as advanced vesicular drug delivery systems for topical antifungal therapy: Formulation strategies and therapeutic potential

Abstract

Topical antifungal therapy is often ineffective because the drugs don’t penetrate deeply enough into the skin, don’t remain at the site of infection long enough, or cause irritation. Glycerosomes, a new type of liposome-based vesicular carrier with high levels of glycerol in the aqueous phase, are receiving increasing attention because they can overcome these problems. This review critically evaluates glycerosomes as sophisticated vesicular drug delivery systems for topical antifungal therapy, focusing on their structural attributes, formulation methodologies, and mechanistic benefits compared to traditional liposomes and other deformable vesicular systems. We talk about important formulation parameters like phospholipid composition, glycerol content, vesicle size, lamellarity, surface charge, and drug encapsulation efficiency in relation to vesicle stability, skin interaction, and permeation performance. The function of glycerol in augmenting vesicle deformability, enhancing stratum corneum hydration, and enabling regulated drug deposition within epidermal and dermal layers is emphasized. A comprehensive evaluation of recent in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies indicates that glycerosomal formulations provide enhanced antifungal efficacy, extended drug retention, and decreased dosing frequency compared to traditional topical formulations and other vesicular carriers. In general, this review shows that glycerosomes could be a useful liposome-derived platform for making topical antifungal treatment more effective.