Because foot pads are thick, hairless, and have a thinner skin layer than other body parts, they have a unique physiology that allows for a high degree of absorption and uptake of administered substances. Thus, foot pad administration of liposomes, specifically in rodents, entails the direct injection of liposomes into the plantar surface of the hind foot.
Liposomes, as nanocarriers, are expertly designed to encapsulate therapeutic drugs or other molecules when administered through foot pads. When applied to the foot, they penetrate the skin layers and reach the blood vessels in the dermis layer. They then enter the systemic circulation, ensuring that the encapsulated drug is evenly distributed throughout the entire body.