Niosomes are Carier Systems that can Deliver Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Drugs

When formulated as modified release dosage forms, pellets are less susceptible to dose dumping than the reservoir-type single unit formulations.4 Micropellets technology delivers almost perfectly spherical particles exhibiting a very narrow particle size distribution and excellent flow properties and these are characterized by a smooth surface free of dust and thus provide optimal conditions for subsequent film coating. Controlled release pellets are manufactured either to deliver the bioactive agent at a specific site within the GIT or to sustain the action of drugs over an extended period of time. While these results have been traditionally achieved through the application of a functional coating material, at times the core pellets themselves have been modified to provide the desired effect. This further enhances the role of pellets in oral dosage form

Transdermal medications come in the form of patches that are applied to the skin normally to the chest or upper arm. They work by allowing the medication to be released slowly and then absorbed. For example, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) patches and nicotine patches.

Among other approaches tried by scientists, colloidal systems like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles etc., have shown promise but not many products have made it to the market (7). Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are gaining much popularity in recent years. Among these, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems from biodegradable and biocompatible polymer are an interesting option for controlled drug delivery and drug targeting (8). Amongst the various drug-delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) are potentially attractive choices due to their natural components and easily scaled-up formulation processes. In addition, their hydrophobic core provides a suitable environment for entrapment of hydrophobic drugs (9). Among the important technological advantages of nanoparticles as drug carriers are: high stability (i.e. long shelf life), high carrier capacity (i.e. many drug molecules can be incorporated into the particle matrix), feasibility of incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances, and feasibility of variable routes of administration (10). NLCs are kind of lipid-based nanoparticles, which has the advantages of biodegradable, brain targeting, well-recognized safety profile by drastically reducing drug-related toxicities through reduction of nonspecific biodistribution (11). NLCs consist of an unstructured solid lipid

It can be employed both orally and as a transdermal patch. The patch is more

Many molecules, particularly peptides and polypeptides are physically embedded in polymers to create a complex network of interconnecting pores through which the drug could subsequently diffuse. The pore structure and polymer composition is controlled in order to design systems that release the drug at nearly any rate and for nearly

This novel method of administration involves thin needles which penetrate the stratum corneum to deliver the drug (101). This method is painless and increases

"Absorption depends on the drug’s ability to cross cell membranes and resist extensive breakdown by the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Transdermal Patches ensure simple, painless procedure of drug usage even in patients with needle phobia. they are on par with sustainable plasma levels comparable with that of oral medication. With the local drug delivery method, hepatic first pass metabolism is bypassed. Offering increased flexibility in placing and removing the transdermal patch better patient compliance is achieved.7,8

Pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that the orally administered nanoemulsions had a higher rate of absorption and the concentration of the drug in the brain and plasma was the highest. Formulation: The drug nanoemulsion was prepared by adding 50% of the drug solution (with dehydrated ethanol) to one ml of safflower oil and it was stirred for the oil drug mixture to distribute homogenously and for all the ethanol to evaporate. Deionized distilled water (contains egg phosphatidylcholine) and deoxycholic acid.(40mg) make up the aqueous phase. Both the phases are heated at 70oc separately. The oil phase was slowly added to the aqueous phase and stirred well. The mixture was then sonicated (21% amplitude and 50%duty cycle). The mixture formed (drug containing nanoemulsion) was then filtered and stored at 4oc.Preparation of aqueous suspension was made using 3H Labeled drug and unlabeled drug in ethanol along with Deionized distilled water (contains egg phosphatidylcholine) and deoxycholic acid. The suspension was sonicated in order to lessen the particle size [2]. An example is Saquinavir (anti-HIV inhibitor) showed enhanced oral absorption and increased concentration of drug in the brain when incorporated in a nanoemulsion

When a prohormone or steroid is absorbed into the epithelial cell it is then partitioned (or directed) into either the portal vein or the lymphatic system. The process that determines this partitioning (choosing of one or the other disposition) is called “superlipophilicity”. Creating a system of delivery that will cause partitioning in the right direction is part of the equation, but not the whole picture.

Microspheres formulated using 0.1 M calcium chloride exhibited the highest drug loading at 14%, with 66.5% encapsulation efficiency. Less than 4% and 35% propranolol release occurred from hydrated and dried microspheres, respectively, in 2 hours in simulated gastric fluid (SGF). 90% of the drug load was released in increments of 5 hours and 7 hours from hydrated and dried microspheres, respectively, in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Prior incubation of hydrated microspheres in SGF extended the time of release in SIF to 10 hours. Restricted propranolol release in SGF and complete extraction in SIF demonstrate the potential of alginate gel microspheres for oral delivery of

On the one hand, patenting of transdermal insulin delivery system offers a number of advantages to Diabeteck.

It was proven that surface active agents which are the backbone of the formulated lipid vesicles can enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs by lowering the permeability barrier of the skin and interacting with the SC in vitro [45]. On the other hand, Studies also reported that the drug molecules to be effectively transported across the SC they must be entrapped within the lipid vesicles suggesting that the vesicles act as drug carrier systems and not as penetration enhancers [46].

Administration: Oral mucosal drug delivery systems are easy to administer. This quality of ease of administration is of most importance to health care providers

Iontophoresis is one of many modalities used in Physical Therapy. The method behind Iontophoresis was first described in 1747 when two well know scientist, Galvani and Volta put together the knowledge that electricity can move different metal ions and that movements of ions can produce electricity. Over time, transdermal administration of drugs has grown and found its place in modern medicine. Two methods of transdermal administration are passive and active. Passive administration uses a non-ionized drug that passes through the semi-permeable membrane of the skin. Consequently, due to the fact that the skin is semi-permeable, only a small amount of the drug molecules penetrates the skin. In contrast to non-ionized drugs, ionized drugs do not penetrate and generally not considered suitable for transdermal application. However, when combined with an external source of energy such as a direct low-level electrical current, ionized drug are quite effective at reaching the tissue. The principle behind