Enhancing Drug Activity with Transferosomes: A Comprehensive Review
an approach to improve drug activity
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Transferosomes
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Subtitle: a novel carrier for enhanced dermal delivery of drug
Original source:
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Kundlik Girhepunje, Dhananjay Kinikar, Ranju Pal
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Transferosomes
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Transferosomes are advanced drug delivery systems designed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of medications, particularly hydrophobic drugs, by facilitating their passage through the skin. These ultra-deformable vesicles are structured with an internal water-based compartment surrounded by a double layer of phospholipids, enhanced by edge activators, which improve membrane flexibility. This system addresses various challenges faced in drug delivery, including first-pass metabolism and patient adherence, by offering a minimally invasive route for drug administration.
Ultra-Deformable Vesicles: A Key Concept
The ultra-deformable nature of transferosomes is pivotal to their effectiveness. Unlike traditional liposomes, transferosomes can deform and pass through the narrowest skin pores due to the incorporation of edge activators. These surfactant agents significantly increase the flexibility of the vesicle membranes, allowing the transferosomes to penetrate the stratum corneum and reach deeper skin layers. This ability to self-optimize and adapt their shape in response to environmental conditions makes transferosomes highly suitable for delivering large molecules like peptides and proteins effectively.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Transferosomes
Transferosomes offer numerous advantages over conventional drug delivery systems, such as high entrapment efficiency, biocompatibility, and the potential for site-specific drug release. They are effective in protecting encapsulated drugs from metabolic degradation and can be utilized for both systemic and local administration. However, the formulation of transferosomes also presents challenges, including high production costs, difficulties in purifying natural phospholipids, and chemical instability due to oxidative degradation. These factors can complicate large-scale commercialization of transferosome products.
Applications of Transferosome Technology
The versatility of transferosomes extends to various applications across the pharmaceutical field. They can be used for the transdermal delivery of corticosteroids, anti-cancer agents, insulin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), among others. This technology holds significant promise for non-invasive treatments, such as administering anesthetics and delivering proteins and peptides that typically present challenges in conventional delivery methods. Their ability to enhance drug stability while providing controlled release further reinforces their potential in addressing a range of medical conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, transferosomes represent a promising advancement in drug delivery systems, particularly for hydrophobic drugs and large molecules. Their unique ability to penetrate skin barriers while maintaining drug integrity highlights their significant advantages over traditional methods. While challenges remain in production and stability, ongoing research and development will likely continue to refine transferosome technology, making it an essential tool in the future of transdermal drug delivery.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are transferosomes and how do they improve drug delivery?
Transferosomes are ultra-deformable vesicles designed to enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs. They comprise phospholipids and edge activators, allowing them to easily penetrate the skin by altering their structure and improving drug permeability.
What advantages do transferosomes offer compared to traditional drug delivery?
Transferosomes protect drugs from metabolic degradation, enhance drug flexibility, and facilitate both systemic and local administration. They also offer site-specific release and allow for the administration of large molecules like peptides.
What are the common compositions found in transferosomes?
Transferosomes typically consist of 65-85% amphipathic agents (like phosphatidylcholine), 10-25% surface/edge activators (such as sodium cholate), and 3-10% solvents (like alcohol or buffered saline), which aid in drug encapsulation and delivery.
What are the disadvantages associated with using transferosomes?
Disadvantages of transferosomes include high production costs, challenges in achieving lipid purity, susceptibility to oxidative degradation, and difficulties in large-scale commercialization due to these instabilities.
What techniques are commonly used for preparing transferosomes?
The thin-layer hydration method and handshake technique are commonly used to prepare transferosomes. These involve dissolving lipid components, removing the organic solvent, and hydrating the resulting film to create vesicles.
How can the effectiveness of transferosomes be evaluated?
Effectiveness can be evaluated through several parameters, including vesicle size distribution, entrapment efficiency, drug content analysis, and permeability tests using methods like dynamic light scattering and fluorescence microscopy.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Enhancing Drug Activity with Transferosomes: A Comprehensive Review”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Drug:
Drugs are chemical substances that interact with the body's biological systems to produce therapeutic effects. The formulation of drugs into transferosomes aims to improve their solubility, stability, and permeability, ultimately enhancing their absorption and efficacy while reducing adverse side effects associated with traditional delivery methods.
2) Surface:
Surface pertains to the outermost boundary of an object or material, essential in drug formulation as it influences interactions with biological membranes. In transferosomes, surface characteristics, such as charge and permeability, affect the ability to penetrate skin layers, thereby determining the efficiency of drug delivery via transdermal systems.
3) Water:
Water is a solvent essential for life and is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. In transferosomes, aqueous environments are needed for hydrations, such as buffer solutions, to create vesicles. The presence of water facilitates solubility and enhances drug release from transferosomes, critical for achieving desired therapeutic effects.
4) India:
India, a country in South Asia, is significant in pharmaceutical research and production. The development and application of transferosomes in India indicate the country's advancement in drug delivery technologies. Indian researchers actively engage in innovations that leverage native resources and address local health challenges through improved pharmaceutical formulations.
5) Substance:
A substance is a particular kind of matter with uniform properties. In the field of pharmacology, substances refer to the active ingredients in medications. Transferosomes are designed to carry these substances, enhancing their delivery through biological barriers, thereby improving their effectiveness in treating various medical conditions.
6) Transmission:
Transmission involves the transfer or conveyance of something, such as diseases or therapeutic agents. In drug delivery, improving transmission through barriers like skin is crucial for efficacy. Transferosomes facilitate efficient transmission by deforming and penetrating skin layers, ensuring that drugs reach their target sites effectively.
7) Performance:
Performance in a pharmaceutical context refers to how well a drug or delivery system achieves its intended effects. In transferosomes, performance metrics include drug stability, release rate, and delivery efficiency. Evaluating these parameters is essential to determine the overall effectiveness of transferosomal formulations in therapeutic applications.
8) Measurement:
Measurement refers to the quantitative assessment of dimensions, performance, or concentration within a substance. Accurate measurement is critical in formulating transferosomes, as it influences size, encapsulation efficiency, and permeability. Utilizing techniques like dynamic light scattering ensures consistent and effective delivery systems for encapsulated drugs.
9) Nature:
Nature encompasses the inherent characteristics and properties of materials. In drug delivery, understanding the nature of pharmaceutical compounds, including their solubility, permeability, and stability, guides the development of transferosomes. These properties determine how effectively drugs can be delivered through biological barriers for therapeutic use.
10) Table:
A table serves as a structured format to present information, making complex data more understandable. In research articles, tables summarize and compare key findings, such as the properties of different vesicular systems. This aids in visualizing differences between transferosomes and other carriers, enhancing comprehension for the reader.
11) Sweating (Sweat):
Sweat is a bodily fluid secreted by sweat glands, involved in thermoregulation and excretion. It plays a role in drug delivery as it can facilitate the permeation of topically applied formulations through skin. Understanding the interaction of transferosomes with sweat can improve their effectiveness in transdermal drug administration.
12) Venu:
Venu refers to Venu Madhav Katla, a key researcher and author contributing to the study of transferosomes. His expertise in pharmaceutics is instrumental in advancing knowledge and application of innovative drug delivery systems, playing a critical role in developing effective therapies bridging research and practical pharmaceutical applications.
13) Biodegradable:
Biodegradable substances can be broken down by biological processes, reducing environmental impact. In pharmaceutical applications, biodegradable materials in transferosomes enhance biocompatibility and safety, minimizing the risk of adverse effects while maintaining drug integrity and effectiveness. This characteristic aligns with current trends towards sustainable and responsible drug delivery solutions.
14) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effects on biological systems. It encompasses the study of drug action, therapeutic uses, and mechanisms. Understanding pharmacology is crucial for developing transferosomes, as it informs their design, efficacy, and safety in delivering drugs effectively across biological barriers.
15) Calculation:
Calculation involves numerical determination of values and properties relevant to a study. In the context of transferosomes, calculations can be applied to determine drug load, entrapment efficiency, and optimal formulation ratios, ensuring the development of effective and reliable drug delivery systems tailored to therapeutic needs.
16) Colouring (Coloring):
Colouring in pharmaceuticals often refers to the addition of colorants to formulations for identification or aesthetic purposes. In transferosomes, coloring agents might be used in formulations for visual tracking or stability testing during research. Understanding the interaction between colorants and active ingredients is essential for effectiveness.
17) Activity:
Activity refers to the biological effectiveness of a drug in eliciting a desired therapeutic response. In research, evaluating the activity of transferosomes is essential to understand how well they deliver the encapsulated drug to target sites, ensuring optimal therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects.
18) Entering:
Entering denotes the act of entering a specific environment or barrier. In drug delivery, it is crucial for transferosomes as they must efficiently navigate through skin layers to deliver their therapeutic payloads. Optimal design ensures that transferosomes can readily penetrate biological barriers, enhancing drug absorption.
19) Cancer:
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and poses significant therapeutic challenges. Transferosomes have potential applications in delivering targeted treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents directly to cancer cells. Their ability to enhance drug permeability can improve the efficacy of cancer treatments while minimizing systemic side effects.
20) Purity:
Purity in pharmaceuticals refers to the degree to which a substance is free from contaminants or impurities. Maintaining high purity in transferosome formulations is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of the drug delivery system, as impurities can adversely affect drug stability and biological responses.
21) Medium:
Medium refers to the environment or material in which processes occur. In the context of transferosomes, the medium used for hydration and preparation influences vesicle characteristics and performance. The choice of solvent or other components in the medium can significantly affect the stability and efficacy of drug formulations.
22) Glass:
Glass is a solid material used for storing pharmaceutical preparations. In transferosome research, glass ampoules may be utilized to protect formulations from degradation and contamination. Ensuring proper storage in glass ensures the integrity and stability of drug delivery systems until their therapeutic applications.
23) Study (Studying):
Study denotes systematic investigation aimed at discovering or enhancing knowledge on a topic. In this context, the study of transferosomes focuses on evaluating their potential in drug delivery systems, understanding their mechanisms, and optimizing formulations for improved therapeutic outcomes in various pharmaceutical applications.
24) Miṇi (Mini):
Mini denotes something that is small or of lesser size. In the context of transferosomes, mini refers to concepts such as miniaturization in drug encapsulation and delivery systems. This can enhance the targeting capabilities and efficiency of drug delivery, making it a key area of exploration in pharmaceutical research.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Enhancing Drug Activity with Transferosomes: A Comprehensive Review’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
First Pass Metabolism, Zeta potential, Dynamic light scattering, Non-invasive treatment, Entrapping efficiency, Transdermal drug delivery system, Transferosomes, Edge activator, Preclinical testing, Biodegradable and biocompatible, Ultra-deformable property, Lipid aggregates, Phase I and Phase II clinical studies, Sustaining the release, Localized drug administration, Thin layer hydration method, Rotary evaporation technique, Vesicle morphology, Occlusion effect.