Showing 8 results for Drug Delivery
Seyede Hamide Razavi, Roholah Ghasemi, Maryam Iman,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract
Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is a non-invasive, topical administration method for therapeutic agents. Transdermal delivery also has advantages including providing release for long periods of time, improving patient compliance, and generally being inexpensive. Despite these advantages, the use of TDD has been limited by innate barrier functions of the skin. Only small (<500 Da), lipophilic molecules can passively diffuse through the skin. As a result of the barrier function of the skin, passive transdermal delivery has primarily been limited to small molecules. The skin, which consists of several layers including the stratum corneum, other epidermal layers, and dermis, is the primary defense system of the body. The main barrier to therapeutic delivery is the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. As a result, various methods of skin permeabilization have been explored for their ability to enhance the transport of drugs across the stratum corneum. Scientists evaluated new drug delivery systems such as nano-carriers and drug delivery systems and enhancer methods such as penetration enhancers. The purpose of drug delivery systems are to deliver sufficient drug molecules into the skin with maximum stability and minimal toxicity. To guarantee successful transdermal drug delivery, a drug delivery system must exhibit several essential properties including drug protection, targeted drug delivery, biocompatibility and biodegradability.
This paper reviews transdermal drug delivery systems, recent enhancement techniques to optimize drug delivery such as microneedles and especially vesicular systems. Herein, we focus on the differences in their composition, physico-chemical properties and applications of those drug delivery systems. We hope recent innovations can work as a foundation for further research and development in transdermal drug delivery system.
Salar Hooshyar, Shohreh Nafisi, Khadijeh Ashtari, Bita Mehravi,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (1-2018)
Abstract
Diseases of the skin can cause harm and emotional distress in patients. The desirable drug is one with least complications and most effectiveness. By prolongation of target exposure, drug effectiveness could be improved. There are several suggested solutions, including the use of chemical enhancers, electroporation, iontophoresis, and the use of nanoparticles as carriers of pharmaceutical agents. The use of various nanostructures, including liposomes, dendrimers, autosomes, and many mineral nanoparticles, have been proposed to prevent the limitations with conventional formulations. Topical drug delivery has many benefits, including using high concentrations of the drug and reducing systemic passage of medicament. Many skin products, such as Estrasorb, Diractin and Aczone are available in the market with new and different manufacturing techniques for more skin penetration.
This paper introduces new approaches to drug delivery, types of nanocomposites and methods for increasing the penetration of pharmaceutical agents in the skin. Various factors such as physicochemical properties and the size of nanoparticles, as well as the effects of manipulation on the surface of these particles, have been discussed.
Saba Mehrandish, Shahla Mirzaee,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (1-2019)
Abstract
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that potentially have the ability to cause disease in humans and animals. Fungal infections are called mycosis, which are divided into four types of superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous and systemic, depending on the area of the body involved. Though cutaneous mycoses are rarely life-threatening infections, they can isolate the patient socially due to the disfigurement of the tissues they caused, as a result of which, treatment has always been an important issue. On the other hand the similarity of fungi to mammalian cells led to difficulties in the development of novel antifungal drugs. Consequently, in recent years, extensive efforts have been made to design and develop novel drug delivery systems with better efficacy for drug delivery of conventional anti-fungal drugs. In this study, we compared conventional forms and novel drug delivery systems of a number of antifungal drugs. All studies confirm the relative priority of novel drug delivery systems to conventional forms in terms of penetration, release, and antifungal effects.
Behnaz Shojaedin Givi, Ali Khamesipour, Hossein Naderimanesh,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Drug delivery through the microneedle array has been considered as an easy and non-invasive method in recent years. The purpose of this study was to design and construct an array of biodegradable polymeric microneedles containing Amphotericin-B to introduce this system and its use in the treatment of cutaneous lesions caused by Leishmania major parasite inoculation as a model in skin infections.
Methods: In this study, microneedles were fabricated by three-step molding method, which included master mold making, polymeric matrix that blending of polyvinyl pyrrolidine and methacrylic acid and finally casting.
Results: The identification of Amphotericin-B in polymeric microscopic compositions was investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopy. Also, the mechanical strength of microneedles, which confirms their ability to penetrate the skin, was investigated by a transducer.
Conclusion: In this study, the design and fabrication of a skin-permeable polymeric microneedle array with biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics in physiological environment was performed. Using the properties of designed needles, loading of Amphotericin-B was used for the treatment of leishmaniasis and skin fungal infections.
, ,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (11-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Microneedle technology has led to huge changes in the field of drug delivery medicine. Using microneedles, the drug can be injected locally, painlessly, and in very low and controlled doses with high precision. Local drug delivery through the skin with microneedles has many advantages over other methods of drug delivery. In this method, the drug does not enter the gastrointestinal tract and blood circulation, and therefore non-target organs are protected from the side effects of the drug. The present study is designed to construct an array of micron needles using the lithography method.
Methods: In this study, a silicon microneedle array is fabricated using the photolithography method with proper adjusting of the effective parameters. The constructed microneedle array has 256 needles with a height of 500 microns, a base diameter of 250 microns, and a center-to-center distance of 600 microns.
Results: Microscopic images show that the microneedles are tapered with a relatively sharp tip. Their surface is smooth and without cracks, and they also have an acceptable resemblance to the original design.
Conclusion: The produced microneedle array can be used directly to pierce the skin and increase its permeability by creating micron holes. In addition, this array can be used as a mold for the production of microneedles with malleable materials in the casting method.
Fatemeh Yazdani Hamid,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (8-2022)
Abstract
Skin cancers are highly prevalent malignancies that affect millions of people worldwide. These include melanomas and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Melanomas are among the most dangerous cancers, while nonmelanoma skin cancers generally exhibit a more benign clinical pattern; however, they may sometimes be aggressive and metastatic.
Melanomas typically appear in body regions exposed to the sun, although they may also appear in areas that do not usually get sun exposure. Thus, their development is multifactorial, comprising endogenous and exogenous risk factors. The management of skin cancer depends on the type; it is usually based on surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. In this respect, oncological treatments have demonstrated some progress in the last years; however, current therapies still present various disadvantages such as little cell specificity, recurrent relapses, high toxicity, and increased costs. Furthermore, the pursuit of novel medications is expensive, and the authorization for their clinical utilization may take 10-15 years. Thus, repositioning of drugs previously approved and utilized for other diseases has emerged as an excellent alternative. In this mini-review, we aimed to provide an updated overview of drugs’ repurposing to treat skin cancer and discuss future perspectives.
Hajar Moghadas,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (8-2023)
Abstract
Microneedles are micron structures that provide the possibility of drug delivery, vaccination and sampling of different organs. The use of microneedles does not require special skills and training, it significantly reduces the dosage and allows the timely release of the drug. The numerous advantages of microneedles compared to other methods of drug delivery have attracted the attention of many researchers. Microneedles are made from the order of microns to millimeters using microfabrication technology using various metals, silicon and polymers. So far, various methods have been proposed for making microneedles. In this article, the conventional and widely used methods of microneedle manufacturing are presented along with their advantages and limitations in terms of the effective parameters in the selection of microneedle. Effective factors such as the type of drug, the desired mechanism for drug delivery, the dimensions and material type lead to the selection of different methods for making microneedles. Among the existing micro fabrication methods, the casting method has the ability to produce different types of microneedles, and thus has been the most popular. The casting method is simple and cheap and can be produced in high volume. Deep reactive ion etching methods make high-precision microneedles, but due to the need for advanced and expensive equipment, a skilled person, and a complex and time-consuming process, they are not capable of mass production. Meanwhile, 3D printing with fully automatic processes is a good option to choose.
Faezeh Roshanbakht, Nahid Hassanzadeh Nemati, Neda Attaran Kakhki,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (5-2025)
Abstract
Skin infections caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have become a serious challenge in the field of antibacterial therapies, especially in the context of antibiotic resistance. In this regard, the simultaneous use of classical antibiotic combinations with advanced nanostructures is considered a novel and effective approach. Narasin, an ionophore antibiotic of natural origin, has a high potential in inhibiting bacterial growth due to its ability to disrupt cell membrane function and ion transport. On the other hand, silica nanostructures, especially mesoporous silica nanoparticles, play an important role in enhancing antibacterial activity due to their properties such as biocompatibility, drug loading capability, controlled release, and production of reactive oxygen species.
Recent studies have shown that the combination of narasin with silica nanostructures enhances the synergistic antibacterial effects, increases drug stability, and improves penetration into bacterial biofilms. This combination has also been effective in reducing the dosage and systemic toxicity. Despite promising results in laboratory and animal models, challenges such as the assessment of cytotoxicity, precise release control, and the need for extensive clinical studies remain.
In this article, while comprehensively reviewing the properties and functions of narasin and silica nanostructures, the mechanisms of their combined effects on skin pathogenic bacteria are discussed and future prospects in the development of nanobiotechnological therapies are reviewed.
