AQUASOMES: A NOVEL DRUG CARRIER SYSTEM

Abstract

In the past few years many approaches were tried for the improvement of the drug delivery. Nanoparticulate carrier systems constitute one of the self assembling approach for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents. Aquasomes are three layered, self assembled nanoparticulate carrier systems, comprised of a solid phase nanocrystalline core coated with oligomeric film to which biochemically active molecules are adsorbed with or without modification. These structures are self assembled by noncovalent and ionic bonds. The solid core provides the structural stability, while the carbohydrate coating protects against dehydration and stabilizes the biochemically active molecules. Properties like protection and preservation of fragile biological molecules, conformational integrity, and surface exposure made it as a successful carrier system for bioactive molecules like peptide, protein, hormones, antigens and genes to specific sites. This article reviews principle of self assembly, significance of each component, properties and applications of aquasomes.