Recent Advances in Nanosponges as Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Major problem of many newly developed chemical entities is their poor solubility in water and pharmacokinetic issues. These poorly-water soluble drugs show many problems in formulating them in conventional dosage forms and the critical problem associated is its very low bio-availability. Nanotechnology has attracted increasing attention during recent years and it can resolve the problems associated with solubility and bio-availability. Nanosponges are a part of nanotechnology. Nanosponges delivery system, which was originally developed for topical delivery of drugs, can also be used for controlled oral delivery of drugs using water soluble and bioerodible polymers. Nanosponges are tiny sponges with a size of about a virus, which can be filled with wide variety of drugs. These tiny sponges can circulate around the body until they encounter the specific target site and stick on the surface and begin to release the drug in a controlled and predictable manner. Because the drug can be released at the specific target site instead of circulating throughout the body it will be more effective for specific disease targeted treatment. Another important character of these sponges is their aqueous solubility; this allows the use of these systems effectively for drugs with poor solubility.