GLYCEROSOMES AS EMERGING GLYCEROL-ENRICHED VESICULAR CARRIERS FOR ENHANCED DRUG DELIVERY: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Conventional topical and transdermal dosage forms often suffer from poor skin penetration, low bioavailability, frequent dosing, and inadequate patient compliance. These limitations have driven the development of novel drug delivery systems designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. Vesicular carriers have gained significant attention; however, issues such as instability and limited drug permeation remain challenges in many systems. Glycerosomes, an advanced lipid vesicular system enriched with glycerol, have emerged as a promising alternative due to their superior flexibility, enhanced hydration effect, and improved skin permeation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of glycerosomes, including their composition, physicochemical characteristics, advantages, and limitations. The mechanism of glycerosome-mediated skin penetration is discussed with emphasis on vesicle deformability and lipid–skin interactions. Additionally, various methods of preparation and key evaluation parameters such as vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro release are highlighted. Glycerosomes act as promising vesicular carriers for enhancing drug penetration through the skin. Their flexible structure and glycerol content improve drug retention and permeation, making them suitable for effective topical and transdermal delivery systems.