Abstract
This review explores recent advancements in topical drug delivery systems, focusing on their potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Physical methods such as microneedles, iontophoresis, and sonophoresis offer minimally invasive approaches to drug delivery, while liposomal formulations show promise for skin cancer therapy. Additionally, novel nanocarriers including liposomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, nanospheres, polymersomes, and cubosomes provide innovative solutions for cosmetic drug delivery. These advancements represent a critical frontier in pharmaceutical research, aimed at overcoming the challenges of skin as a barrier of drugs penetration. Continued research on novel topical drug delivery systems holds promise for enhancing patient convenience.
1. Introduction
Drug delivery system is well-known as a system that formulate and store drug molecules into suitable forms for administration. There are various routes for drugs to be introduced into the body and among those is topical route administration.[1] Topical drug delivery can be referred as a localized drug delivery to the surface of the skin or within the skin.[2] A number of advantages of this route are: more convenient for patient as a non-invasive treatment leads to better adherence to the patient, allows for localized action, lower systemic effects, and avoid hepatic metabolism. Besides its advantages, main disadvantage of this route is conventional drugs generally have low permeability through the skin, which leads to poor therapeutic benefit.[3] Hence a delivery system that makes the skin more permeable and enhance topical drug delivery is a great interest. Long-term oral administration potentially causes several gastrointestinal side effects like GI bleeding and ulceration. Therefore, an improved topical formulation and delivery with a high degree of permeation is a promising treatment.[4] In this review, will be discussed numerous advances in novel topical drug delivery system.
2. Discussion
2.1 Physical method for topical and transdermal delivery
2.1.1 Microneedles
Microneedles are able to create pores in the skin or temporary pathway that facilitate drug application, with much lower risk of infection compared to conventional injections.[4] Moreover, microneedles do not need healing and give less pain.[5] The use of microneedles commonly found in the application of insulin in diabetic patients, influenza vaccination, and photodynamic therapy (PDT).[4]
2.1.2 Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis principle is based on low-intensity electric current that assists the transportation of drug molecules through both electroosmosis and electromigration.[5] Huang (2005) studied the effects of iontophoresis on hydrogel composed of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), evaluated for the release of nalbuphine and its prodrugs. Huang stated that it has significant effects on skin permeation by iontophoresis.[6]
2.1.3 Sonophoresis/Phonophoresis
Sonophoresis uses ultrasound irradiation to enhance the drug permeation through the skin. Sonophoresis device approved by FDA for the first time in 2004 and used to deliver lidocaine within transdermal route. However, an understanding of ultrasound and its bioeffects is still not well-known. It is expected that in the near future ultrasound will be able to replace conventional needle for vaccine and immunization.[4]
2.2 Liposomes for skin cancer therapy
Treatment for skin cancer is primarily through surgery. It removes the tumour and resulting in scarring or loss of tissue function. Another option is radiotherapy, with necrosis and tissue atrophy as its side effects. In addition to these, another option is chemotherapy, with high bioavailability, but tends to be painful for the patient.[11]
2.2.1 Liposome – avicequinone-B
Hu et al. (2019) made a formulation that showed high encapsulation efficiency, around 95%.[12]
2.2.2 Curcumin-loaded cationic liposome siRNA complex
Jose et al. (2019) found the liposomes after the application of iontophoresis reached a depth of 160 µm in the skin.[13]
2.2.3 Liposome – niclosamide
Hatamipour et al. (2019) formulated a homogenous and stable nanoparticle drug and showed better cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells.[14]
2.3 Novel nanocarriers for cosmetic drug delivery systems
Nanotechnology in cosmetic drug delivery system is one of the various innovations in creating reliable formulation. It aims to reduce clinical side effects and preserve the drug’s effectiveness.[7] Below are listed numerous examples of reported nanocarriers for cosmetic drug delivery system.
2.3.1 Liposomes
Liposomes encapsulate the drug and release it in a regulated manner to prevent metabolic breakdown. Study said that liposomes can help reducing acne and enhancing skin smoothness. Several cosmetics that use liposomes are antiperspirants, deodorants, body spray, and skin lotions.[8]
2.3.2 Niosomes
Niosomes are used in cosmetic due to their capacity to reversibly diminish the horny layer’s barrier resistance so that drugs can penetrate the living tissue more swiftly.[10]
2.3.3 Nanoemulsions
Nanoemulsions give some advantages compared to conventional emulsions. They do not face some issues like flocculation, coalescence, sedimentation, and creaming. Nanoemulsions are utilized in the formulation of cosmetics to offer quick penetration into stratum corneum, to transfer API, and to hydrate the skin.[18] Nanoemulsions commonly found in sunscreens, lotions, nail enamels, hair serums, and conditioners.[17]
2.3.4 Nanospheres
Nanospheres are spherical-structured solid particles with a core-shell configuration. Nanospheres trap, connect, dissolve, or encapsulate the medicine to protect it from chemical or enzymatic destruction.[9]
2.3.5 Polymersomes
Polymersomes are made up of block copolymer amphiphiles that self-assemble around a core aqueous cavity. Polymersomes are able to encapsulate and protect not only drug molecules, but also proteins, peptides, enzymes, DNA, and RNA fragments. In addition, polymersomes are also more stable than liposomes.[9]
2.3.6 Cubosomes
Cubosomes are advanced nanoparticles that have a discrete structure with sub-micron-sized crystalline particles. Kwon et al. (2012) and Badea et al. (2015) said that cubosomes have the ability to sustain and prolong the release of bioactive compounds, specifically in site of work.[14,15] Hence manufacturers are investing in cubosomes research.
Conclusion
As discussed above, skin as a barrier can inhibit drug penetration. Hence the need for novel topical drug delivery system is inevitable. Research and innovation have been done for the sake of enhancement patient convenience and provide better treatment.
References
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[18] Baccarin, T., Lemos-Senna, E. (2017). Potential application of nanoemulsions for skin delivery of pomegranate peel polyphenols. AAPS PharmSciTech, 18: 3307–3314.
