Nanosponge : Applications in Controlled Drug Delivery Shahla Parveen , Sana Farooqui , Usama Ahmad 1. Department of Pharmacology, Integral University, Lucknow, India 2. Department of Pharmaceutics, Integral University, Lucknow, India
Email: usamaahmad.10@outlook.com
INTRODUCTION Nanosponges constitute an important part to control the delivery rates of active agents to a predetermined site by virtue of their small . size and efficient carrier characteristics. Nanosponges technology offers entrapment of ingredients and is believed to contribute towards reduced side effects by controlling the release, improved stability, increased elegance, and enhanced formulation flexibility. In addition, nanosponges systems are non-irritating, non-mutagenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic.
Advantages of nanosponge 1. Targeted site specific drug delivery. 2. Used to mask unpleasant flavour and to convert liquid substances to solids. 3. Less harmful side effects 4. Nanosponge particles are soluble in water, so the hydrophobic drugs can be encapsulated within the nanosponge, after mixing with a chemical called an adjuvant reagent. 5. Particles can be made smaller or larger by varying the proportion of cross-linker to polymer. 6. Production through fairly simple chemistry called "click chemistry" . 7. Easy scale-up for commercial production.
Drug release from nanosponge The active ingredient is added to vehicles in the entrapped form since the nanosponges particles have an open structure (they do not have continous membrane surrounding them) the active substance is free to move in or out from the particles into the vehicle until equilibrium is reached when the vehicle become saturated. Once product is applied to skin, the active substance that is already in vehicle which will become unsaturated, therefore disturbing the equilibrium. This will start flow of activity from nanosponges particle into vehicle from it, to skin until vehicle is either dried or absorbed. Even after that nanosponges particle retained on the surface of stratum corneum will continue to gradually release active to skin providing prolonged release over time.
8. The drug profiles can be tailored from fast, medium to slow release, preventing over- or under-dosing of the therapy18. 9. Predictable release. 10. Biodegradable
Applications Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø
Nanosponges as chemical sensor Nanosponge for oral delivery Solubility enhancement Modulating drug release Nanosponges as a carrier for biocatalysts and in the delivery and release of enzymes, proteins, vaccines and antibodies.
Methods of preparation Ø Polymerization Ø Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion Ø Emulsion solvent diffusion method
References/Credits Hu, C. M. J., Fang, R. H., Copp, J., Luk, B. T., & Zhang, L. (2013). A biomimetic nanosponge that absorbs pore-forming toxins. Nature nanotechnology, 8(5), 336-340. Sharma R, Pathak K. Nanosponges: Emerging drug delivery system. Pharma Stud. 2010:33-5. Images adapted from Nature Reviews and UC San Diego (for non commercial purpose)
Poster presented during ‘7th Virtual NANOPOSTER event 2017' organised by ‘The International Nanoscience Community’