ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare tanshinone transfersome (TTs) and evaluate its deformability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The transfersomes were prepared by film dispersion method followed by sonication, and their physical properties, morphology, content, entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity, and Zeta potential were investigated. The stability and deformability of TTs were studied. Liposomes with different molar ratios of cholate and lecithin were compared for their permeability under external pressure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prepared TF were spherical vesicles with content of 1.0192+/-0.075 mg/ml, entrapment efficiency of (62.3+/-0.08)%, particle size of 110 nm, polydispersity of 0.19 and Zate potential of -15.0 mV. The TTs remained stable during light-proof preservation for 3 months at 4 degrees C, and sodium cholate contributed to the flexibility of the lecithin vesicles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TTs prepared by film dispersion method has good entrapment efficiency and stability. The vesicles possess high deformability in relation to the molar ratio of sodium cholate to lecithin and the external pressure.</p>