Abstract
Transdermal delivery of drugs, a compelling route of systemic drug delivery, provides painless, reliable, targeted, efficient and cost effective therapeutic regimen for patients. However, its use is limited by skin barrier especially the stratum corneum barrier. Moreover, transdermal delivery of macromolecules remains a challenge. Naturally, varieties of physical methods, chemical enhancers and drug carriers have been used to counteract this limitation. Recently, transdermal peptides discovered as safer, more efficient and more specific enhancers could promote the delivery of macromolecules across the skin. Herein, the underlying transdermal peptides are included. Subsequently, we have discussed typical applications and the possible mechanism of two groups of biologically inspired transdermal peptide enhancers, namely cell penetration peptides and transdermal enhanced peptides.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.