Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano 
Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review

Indra Ramesh; Lakshmi Barath; Keerthi Bala; John Samuel; Younoos; Idhaya Jeevan; Yukeshwaran

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

Review Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review

Indra Ramesh^*

, Lakshmi Barath, Keerthi Bala, John Samuel, Younoos, Idhaya Jeevan, Yukeshwaran

Published in Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 2)

Received: 11 August 2026 Accepted: 20 August 2026 Published: 20 September 2026

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Abstract

Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid derived from vitamin A, remains one of the most effective agents available for the management of moderate-to-severe and treatment-resistant acne vulgaris because it simultaneously addresses sebum overproduction, follicular hyper keratinization, Cuti bacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammation. However, its clinical use by the oral route is limited by teratogenicity, mucocutaneous dryness, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, and musculoskeletal and psychiatric adverse effects, while conventional topical isotretinoin formulations suffer from poor aqueous solubility, photo instability, and marked skin irritation. Nano sponge technology, comprising hyper-cross-linked polymeric or cyclodextrin-based three-dimensional networks capable of entrapping lipophilic and poorly soluble drugs within nanosized cavities, offers a promising platform to improve isotretinoin's solubility, stability, and localized skin delivery while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporating isotretinoin-loaded nano sponges into a transdermal patch further combines the sustained- and controlled-release advantages of matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems with the solubilization and targeting benefits of nano sponges. This review compiles and synthesizes the current literature on the pharmacology and limitations of isotretinoin, the design and preparation methods of nano sponges, transdermal patch technology, and the physic ochemical, in vitro, ex vivo, and stability evaluation parameters relevant to the formulation and evaluation of an isotretinoin nano sponge-loaded transdermal patch, and it outlines the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of this delivery approach.

Published in	Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
Page(s)	56-64
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Isotretinoin, Nano Sponges, Transdermal Patch, Cyclodextrin, Acne Vulgaris, Controlled Drug Delivery, Skin Permeation

References

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Ramesh, I., Barath, L., Bala, K., Samuel, J., Younoos, et al. (2026). Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 10(2), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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ACS Style

Ramesh, I.; Barath, L.; Bala, K.; Samuel, J.; Younoos, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharm. Sci. Technol. 2026, 10(2), 56-64. doi: 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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AMA Style

Ramesh I, Barath L, Bala K, Samuel J, Younoos, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharm Sci Technol. 2026;10(2):56-64. doi: 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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@article{10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14,
  author = {Indra Ramesh and Lakshmi Barath and Keerthi Bala and John Samuel and Younoos and Idhaya Jeevan and Yukeshwaran},
  title = {Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano 
Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review},
  journal = {Pharmaceutical Science and Technology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {56-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pst.20261002.14},
  abstract = {Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid derived from vitamin A, remains one of the most effective agents available for the management of moderate-to-severe and treatment-resistant acne vulgaris because it simultaneously addresses sebum overproduction, follicular hyper keratinization, Cuti bacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammation. However, its clinical use by the oral route is limited by teratogenicity, mucocutaneous dryness, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, and musculoskeletal and psychiatric adverse effects, while conventional topical isotretinoin formulations suffer from poor aqueous solubility, photo instability, and marked skin irritation. Nano sponge technology, comprising hyper-cross-linked polymeric or cyclodextrin-based three-dimensional networks capable of entrapping lipophilic and poorly soluble drugs within nanosized cavities, offers a promising platform to improve isotretinoin's solubility, stability, and localized skin delivery while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporating isotretinoin-loaded nano sponges into a transdermal patch further combines the sustained- and controlled-release advantages of matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems with the solubilization and targeting benefits of nano sponges. This review compiles and synthesizes the current literature on the pharmacology and limitations of isotretinoin, the design and preparation methods of nano sponges, transdermal patch technology, and the physic ochemical, in vitro, ex vivo, and stability evaluation parameters relevant to the formulation and evaluation of an isotretinoin nano sponge-loaded transdermal patch, and it outlines the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of this delivery approach.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
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AU  - Indra Ramesh
AU  - Lakshmi Barath
AU  - Keerthi Bala
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AU  - Yukeshwaran
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DO  - 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
T2  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
JF  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
JO  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
AB  - Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid derived from vitamin A, remains one of the most effective agents available for the management of moderate-to-severe and treatment-resistant acne vulgaris because it simultaneously addresses sebum overproduction, follicular hyper keratinization, Cuti bacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammation. However, its clinical use by the oral route is limited by teratogenicity, mucocutaneous dryness, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, and musculoskeletal and psychiatric adverse effects, while conventional topical isotretinoin formulations suffer from poor aqueous solubility, photo instability, and marked skin irritation. Nano sponge technology, comprising hyper-cross-linked polymeric or cyclodextrin-based three-dimensional networks capable of entrapping lipophilic and poorly soluble drugs within nanosized cavities, offers a promising platform to improve isotretinoin's solubility, stability, and localized skin delivery while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporating isotretinoin-loaded nano sponges into a transdermal patch further combines the sustained- and controlled-release advantages of matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems with the solubilization and targeting benefits of nano sponges. This review compiles and synthesizes the current literature on the pharmacology and limitations of isotretinoin, the design and preparation methods of nano sponges, transdermal patch technology, and the physic ochemical, in vitro, ex vivo, and stability evaluation parameters relevant to the formulation and evaluation of an isotretinoin nano sponge-loaded transdermal patch, and it outlines the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of this delivery approach.
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Author Information

Indra Ramesh

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India

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http://orcid.org/0009-0006-4065-8669
Lakshmi Barath

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India
Keerthi Bala

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India
John Samuel

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India
Younoos

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India
Idhaya Jeevan

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India
Yukeshwaran

Faculty of Pharmacy, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, India

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Ramesh, I., Barath, L., Bala, K., Samuel, J., Younoos, et al. (2026). Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 10(2), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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Ramesh, I.; Barath, L.; Bala, K.; Samuel, J.; Younoos, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharm. Sci. Technol. 2026, 10(2), 56-64. doi: 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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Ramesh I, Barath L, Bala K, Samuel J, Younoos, et al. Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review. Pharm Sci Technol. 2026;10(2):56-64. doi: 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14

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@article{10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14,
  author = {Indra Ramesh and Lakshmi Barath and Keerthi Bala and John Samuel and Younoos and Idhaya Jeevan and Yukeshwaran},
  title = {Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano 
Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review},
  journal = {Pharmaceutical Science and Technology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {56-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pst.20261002.14},
  abstract = {Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid derived from vitamin A, remains one of the most effective agents available for the management of moderate-to-severe and treatment-resistant acne vulgaris because it simultaneously addresses sebum overproduction, follicular hyper keratinization, Cuti bacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammation. However, its clinical use by the oral route is limited by teratogenicity, mucocutaneous dryness, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, and musculoskeletal and psychiatric adverse effects, while conventional topical isotretinoin formulations suffer from poor aqueous solubility, photo instability, and marked skin irritation. Nano sponge technology, comprising hyper-cross-linked polymeric or cyclodextrin-based three-dimensional networks capable of entrapping lipophilic and poorly soluble drugs within nanosized cavities, offers a promising platform to improve isotretinoin's solubility, stability, and localized skin delivery while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporating isotretinoin-loaded nano sponges into a transdermal patch further combines the sustained- and controlled-release advantages of matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems with the solubilization and targeting benefits of nano sponges. This review compiles and synthesizes the current literature on the pharmacology and limitations of isotretinoin, the design and preparation methods of nano sponges, transdermal patch technology, and the physic ochemical, in vitro, ex vivo, and stability evaluation parameters relevant to the formulation and evaluation of an isotretinoin nano sponge-loaded transdermal patch, and it outlines the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of this delivery approach.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Formulation and Evaluation of Isotretinoin Nano 
Sponges-Loaded Transdermal Patch: A Review
AU  - Indra Ramesh
AU  - Lakshmi Barath
AU  - Keerthi Bala
AU  - John Samuel
AU  - Younoos
AU  - Idhaya Jeevan
AU  - Yukeshwaran
Y1  - 2026/09/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
T2  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
JF  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
JO  - Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
SP  - 56
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4540
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pst.20261002.14
AB  - Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid derived from vitamin A, remains one of the most effective agents available for the management of moderate-to-severe and treatment-resistant acne vulgaris because it simultaneously addresses sebum overproduction, follicular hyper keratinization, Cuti bacterium acnes proliferation, and inflammation. However, its clinical use by the oral route is limited by teratogenicity, mucocutaneous dryness, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, and musculoskeletal and psychiatric adverse effects, while conventional topical isotretinoin formulations suffer from poor aqueous solubility, photo instability, and marked skin irritation. Nano sponge technology, comprising hyper-cross-linked polymeric or cyclodextrin-based three-dimensional networks capable of entrapping lipophilic and poorly soluble drugs within nanosized cavities, offers a promising platform to improve isotretinoin's solubility, stability, and localized skin delivery while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporating isotretinoin-loaded nano sponges into a transdermal patch further combines the sustained- and controlled-release advantages of matrix-type transdermal drug delivery systems with the solubilization and targeting benefits of nano sponges. This review compiles and synthesizes the current literature on the pharmacology and limitations of isotretinoin, the design and preparation methods of nano sponges, transdermal patch technology, and the physic ochemical, in vitro, ex vivo, and stability evaluation parameters relevant to the formulation and evaluation of an isotretinoin nano sponge-loaded transdermal patch, and it outlines the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of this delivery approach.
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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