In this study, the transdermal drug delivery properties of D,L-tetrahydropalmatine (THP)-loaded amphiphilic poly{[α-maleic anhydride-ω-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)]-co-(ethyl cyanoacrylate)} (PEGECA) graft copolymer nanoparticles (PEGECAT NPs) were evaluated by skin penetration experiments in vitro. The transdermal permeation experiments in vitro were carried out in franz diffusion cells using THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs as donor system. Transmission electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the receptor fluid. The results indicate that the THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs are able to penetrate the rat skin. Fluorescent microscopy measurements demonstrate that THP-loaded PEGECAT NPs can penetrate the skin not only via appendage routes but also via epidermal routes. This nanotechnology has potential application in transdermal drug delivery.