A Comprehensive Review on Liver Targeting: Emphasis on Nanotechnology- based Molecular Targets and Receptors Mediated Approaches

Abstract

Background: The pathogenesis of hepatic diseases involves several cells which makes the delivery of pharmaceutical agents complicated. Many severe liver diseases affecting the worldwide population cannot be effectively treated. Major hindrance or challenges faced are natural physiological barriers and non-specific targeting of drugs administered leading to inefficient treatment. Hence, there is an earnest need to look for novel therapeutic strategies which can overcome these hindrances. Kind of literature have reported when a drug is incorporated inside or attached, to a polymeric material of either hydrophilic or lipophilic nature, drug safety and efficacy are incredibly raised. This has given the driving force to the dynamic investigation for development of novel biodegradable materials, drug delivery carriers, target specific drug delivery systems and many other novels approach. Objective: Present review is devoted to summarizing receptor-based liver cell targeting by the use of different modified novel synthetic drug delivery carriers. It also highlights recent progress in drug targeting to diseased liver mediated by various types of receptors including asialoglycoprotein, mannose and, galactose receptor, Fc receptor, low-density lipoprotein, glycyrrhetinic, and bile acid receptor. The essential consideration is given to the treatment of liver cancer targeting by the use of nanoparticulate systems, proteins, viral, and non-viral vectors, homing peptides and gene delivery. Conclusion: Receptors based targeting approach is one such approach that was explored by researchers to develop novel formulations which can ensure site specific drug delivery. Several receptors are present on the surfaces of liver cells which are reported to be highly overexpressed in the various disease conditions. Its all are helpful for the treatment of the liver cancer.