Evidence mapPaperPMID 41350970Full record

ReviewPharmaceutical research2025

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Technologies, and Clinical Applications.

Fengxia Xu, Zhuoya Qiu, Mengru Zhang, Yanru Ren, Liang Kong, Yongshu Liu, Tong Zhang, Cheng Wang, Ping Wang

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in Pharmaceutical research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Fengxia Xu *College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China.
Zhuoya Qiu *College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China.
Mengru Zhang *Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China.
Yanru RenShandong Hanfang Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, Jinan, 251400, China.
Liang KongShandong Hanfang Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, Jinan, 251400, China.
Yongshu LiuShandong Hanfang Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, Jinan, 251400, China.
Tong ZhangInstitute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China. zhangtong_0826@163.com.
Cheng WangInstitute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China. cwang007@126.com.
Ping WangShandong Hanfang Pharmaceutical Co. LTD, Jinan, 251400, China. wangpingjinan@126.com.

Funding

Jinan "20 New Universities" Funding Project 202228121Jinan "20 New Universities" Funding Project 202333006Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2024QH101Shandong Province Technology Innovation Guidance Program YDZX2024122Shandong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science & Technology Project M20242215State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Shandong Provincial Health Commission Joint Science & Technology Project GZY-KJS-2023-027
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTransdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS) offer a non-invasive route for sustained systemic or localized drug delivery. By bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism and improving bioavailability, TDDS enhances patient compliance, especially in the management of chronic diseases. Drug permeation across the skin is mediated through pathways involving the complex skin barrier, predominantly the stratum corneum, with efficacy influenced by both drug properties and skin physiology.

methodsThis review systematically integrates the fundamental mechanisms underlying TDDS, highlights cutting-edge technological advancements developed to overcome the skin barrier, and discusses their expanding clinical applications. The advanced technologies covered include permeation enhancers, vesicular systems (liposomes, transfersomes, ethosomes), microemulsions, microneedles (MNs), responsive systems (pH-, temperature-, enzyme-sensitive), and 3D printing.

resultsThese innovative technologies effectively enhance drug flux, enable targeted delivery, and achieve spatiotemporal control of drug release. Clinically, FDA-approved TDDS formulations have been successfully applied to manage various conditions, including chronic pain (fentanyl, buprenorphine), neurological disorders (rotigotine, rivastigmine), cardiovascular diseases (nitroglycerin, clonidine), hormone replacement, and substance dependence (nicotine). Despite significant clinical value, TDDS still faces challenges such as limitations in delivering macromolecules, potential skin irritation, and inter-individual variability.

conclusionFuture directions in TDDS research focus on integrating nanotechnology, AI-driven optimization, wearable sensors, and closed-loop smart systems. These integrations aim to achieve greater precision, personalization, and efficiency in transdermal drug delivery, providing valuable insights for future research and translational development.

Indexed as

Drug Delivery SystemsAdministration, CutaneousAnimalsDrug LiberationHumansPharmaceutical PreparationsSkinSkin AbsorptionPharmaceutical Preparationsmicroneedlesresponsive systemsskintransdermal drug delivery systems

Identifiers

PMID41350970

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.