Transdermal vitamin D supplementation—A potential vitamin D deficiency treatment

Vitamin D deficiency has high prevalence worldwide. Vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D, exhibits array of roles in body, from calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization to cancer, neurological disorders, immunomodulatory action, and cardiac health. Current approaches for supplementing vitamin D3 are restricted to oral and parenteral routes. This review highlights recent research in the field of transdermal delivery of vitamin D, its active form and analogues with the aid of penetration enhancers and novel carrier system as nutritional supplement in case of vitamin D deficiency. The penetration of vitamin D3 is challenging; however, by means of reducing hydrophobicity of the active and encapsulating vitamin D3 in a suitable carrier system, penetration is achieved. The results show that penetration of vitamin D3 through skin is feasible. Further clinical trials could strengthen these results. However, the present research till date shows transdermal vitamin D3 a promising way of supplementation.