Nanoparticle-Integrated Transdermal Patches: A Platform for Next-Generation Drug Delivery

Nanoparticle-mediated transdermal systems can bypass the skin's natural outer barrier (stratum corneum), allowing drugs to enter the body more effectively. This technology improves how much drug reaches the bloodstream and how long it acts, which can make drug delivery noninvasive and more comfortable for patients. These technologies are engineered to markedly enhance drug permeability and bioavailability, while improving patient adherence and reducing systemic side effects. The incorporation of nanocarriers into transdermal systems can augment drug permeability across the skin by 2- to 10-fold, contingent upon the physicochemical characteristics of both the drug and the nanocarrier type, as demonstrated in multiple preclinical investigations. This review rigorously analyzes various nanocarriers, including liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanostructures, and their effects on cutaneous and transdermal drug delivery. Improvements in entrapment efficiency of up to 90% and a three- to fivefold enhancement in drug retention within the epidermis have been recorded. Optimized nanoparticle-based formulations have also demonstrated sustained release characteristics lasting up to 72 h. Additionally, innovative technologies such as dissolving microneedles, nanoneedle arrays, luminous patches, and 3D-printed transdermal systems are examined regarding their capacity to enhance dosage accuracy, bioadhesion, and therapeutic efficacy. The study examines formulation characteristics such as polymer matrices, rate-controlling membranes, excipient compatibility, and penetration enhancers that affect the clinical efficacy and stability of nanoparticle-integrated patches. Significant attention is directed towards the impact of formulation choices on drug loading, release kinetics, and skin interaction patterns. Notwithstanding advancements, no nanoparticle-encapsulated transdermal patch has attained FDA approval to yet. The review delineates the principal translational obstacles—regulatory ambiguity, safety assessment, and GMP-scale production—and emphasizes the necessity for cohesive pharmacokinetic modeling, human skin correlation investigations, and real-time stability data to enhance clinical translation.