AIM To prepare the transdermal drug delivery system of carbon nanotubes graft ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2 nanoemulsion.METHODS After 0.5％ carbon nanotubes' dispersion into the prepared nanoemulsion,the combination state was observed under transmission electron microscope.The skin irritation and transdermal mechanism of this drug delivery system were investigated.Then the UVA-damaged mouse skin model was established to evaluate the antioxidant activity.RESULTS Carbon nanotubes had strong adsorption to nanoemulsion,together with the formation of drug storage cavern in epidermis,thus increased the transdermal osmotic quantities of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2.The SOD activity in mouse skin tissue in the drug delivery system group was higher than that in the model group and the nanoemulsion group (P ＜0.01),and the MDA content was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION The transdermal drug delivery system of carbon nanotubes graft ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2 nanoemulsion can make drugs play an antioxidant role because of its less irritation to skin and better skin permeability.