挥发油以其较低的毒副作用和较强的药理活性，受到越来越多的药学工作者的关注。一些挥发油除具有一定的药理作用外，其自身也可作为一种良好的透皮吸收促进剂，因而在外用制剂中得到了广泛的应用。挥发油作为透皮吸收促进剂的促透效果及作用机制根据挥发油的种类及活性成分的不同而有所差异。经查阅及总结近几年相关文献后，就挥发油的经皮吸收促进作用及作用机制进行综述，并针对当前挥发油在外用制剂应用研究中存在的问题进行了分析与展望，以期为后期研究提供一定借鉴。

In recent years, essential oils have drawn more and more attention of pharmaceutical workers due to its low toxicity and strong pharmacological activity. In addition to some pharmacological effects, some volatile oil also can be used as a good transdermal absorption enhancer, which has been widely used in topical preparation. The effect and mechanism of volatile oil as transdermal enhancers are different according to different kinds and active ingredients of essential oils. This paper summarizes the related researches on the promoting effect and mechanism of essential oil absorption by skin in recent years. The author analyzes the existing problems in the application of volatile oils in the topical preparations, so as to provide a reference for the later research.

国家自然科学基金项目（81460607）；江西省自然科学基金项目（20114 BA B205071）