Earlier liposomes were known as the lipid vesicles which deliver drugs to outer layers of skin. Now-a-days, Ethosomes are very popular which penetrate through stratum corneum and deliver drug to the deeper layers of skin. Ethosomes offer non invasive delivery of any sized drug molecule whether that is hydrophilic or lipophilic. The formulation and evaluation of ethosomes of ketoconazole was carried out in this study. Ethosomes contain phospholipid (1-3%), ethanol (20-40%), propylene glycol (10%) and distilled water. Ethosomes were prepared by “cold” method and characterized for vesicular size, shape, DSC, Entrapment efficiency, X-RD, in vitro skin diffusion study, skin irritation study and stability study. Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Malvern Size analyser showed that ethosomes were spherical, unilamellar, nanometric size, low polydispersity index (Less than 0.3) vesicles. Sonicated ethosomes had smaller size (248 ± 12.6 nm) and were uniform in shape than unsonicated ethosomes (681 ± 22.6 nm). Entrapment efficiency percentage of best formulation was 62.11 ± 2.11%. In vitro skin diffusion study showed 78.61 ± 1.03 % drug diffused in 12 h. Skin irritation study showed no remarkable irritation. Stability study at 4 ± 2°C and at Room Temp. for 60 days showed minor increase in vesicle size.
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