POLYMERS FOR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A REVIEW
Pharmaceutical invention and research
are now increasingly focusing on delivery systems which enhance desirable
therapeutic objectives while minimizing side effects.
Drug delivery systems, ranging from implantable electronic devices to single
polymer chains, are required to be compatible with processes in the body
(biocompatibility) as well as with the drug to be delivered. DDS alter the bio-distribution and pharmacokinetics
of the associated drug: that is the time-dependent percentage of the
administered dose in the different organs of the body. There are various
natural and synthetic polymers are used in drug delivery system. The present
communication focuses all these aspects with emphasizes of various polymers
used in various drug delivery systems.
The whole 12 pages article is available for download at Downloads section of Farmavita.Net.
Humankind’s efforts to confront disease dates back to early
civilization. Substances taken from nature were tested and used to treat
dysfunctions of physiological life processes, pain and discomfort. With the
advancement of science, the active ingredients of these materials, the drugs,
were identified, isolated and their mechanism of action elucidated. Drug
activity is a result of molecular interaction(s) in certain cells &
therefore it is necessary for the drug to reach somehow the site of action
following administration (oral, intravenous, local, transdermal, etc.) at
sufficient concentrations. The scientific field dealing with this issue is
known as drug delivery and has essentially the following aim: to deliver the drug at the right place, at
the right concentration for the right period of time. When this is
impossible by simply selecting an appropriate administration route, or if such
administration causes patient discomfort, strategies based on the association
of the drug with a carrier (a drug delivery system – DDS)
are an alternative.
Pharmaceutical invention and research
are now increasingly focusing on delivery systems which enhance desirable
therapeutic objectives while minimizing side effects. Carrier-mediated drug delivery has emerged as a powerful
methodology for the treatment of various pathologies. The therapeutic index of
traditional and novel drugs is enhanced via the increase of specificity due to
targeting of drugs to a particular tissue, cell or intracellular compartment,
the control over release kinetics, the protection of the active agent or a
combination of the above.
Drug delivery systems,
ranging from implantable electronic devices to single polymer chains, are
required to be compatible with processes in the body (biocompatibility) as well
as with the drug to be delivered. DDS
alter the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the assosciated drug: that is
the time-dependent percentage of the administered dose in the different organs
of the body. Furthermore, obstacles arising from low drug solubility,
degradation (environmental or enzymatic), fast clearance rates, non-specific
toxicity, inability to cross biological barriers, just to mention a few, may be
addressed by DDS.
The whole 12 pages article is available for download at Downloads section of Farmavita.Net.
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