THE INFLUENCE OF IN-VIVO TREATMENT OF SKIN WITH LIPOSOMES ON THE TOPICAL ABSORPTION OF A HYDROPHILIC AND A HYDROPHOBIC DRUG IN-VITRO

Hairless mice were treated in vivo with empty phospholipid and `skin l ipid' liposomes, respectively. The deposition of a hydrophobic drug (h ydrocortisone) and a hydrophilic drug (inulin) was investigated in bot h treated and untreated skin. It was found that drugs should be encaps ulated in liposomes or at least be administered together with the lipi d, to achieve targeted drug delivery. Pretreatment of the skin with li posomes did not show the advantage of liposomally encapsulated drugs.