Abstract

NANO-DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS IN DERMATOLOGY

Dr. Mariappan Natarajan*

ABSTRACT

Dermatology clinical practice has become an important aspect of human healthcare with the prevalence of skin diseases exceed that of obesity, hypertension, and cancer added together. Skin diseases account for more than 12 % of primary care hospital visits, and one out of every three person has a skin disease at any given time. Skin is accessible to traditional clinical examination and various imaging modalities are also available for diagnosis. Conventional formulations of many drugs available for treatment of dermatological conditions act via different mechanisms of action are not satisfactory due to poor water solubility, low biological efficacy, non-targeting, and drug resistance. Limitations of conventional formulations must be addressed to enhance efficiency of the drug, reduce toxicity and avoid damage to normal adjacent healthy tissues. Most skin conditions are characterized by chronicity and associated with psychological effects. Advances in nanotechnology provide new drug delivery methods for treatment of various skin conditions. Nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) have great advantages in solving the problems and limitations faced by conventional formulations. But problems related to NDDSs such as cytotoxicity, environmental issues and long term effects must always be kept in mind. This review aims at understanding the types and targeting strategies of NDDSs, new research progress in the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of skin disorders in recent years. Future prospective for nano-carriers in drug delivery includes gene therapy, in order to provide more ideas for the improvement of drugs used for skin problems. Safety and environmental concerns are also discussed in this review.

Keywords: bioactive molecules, nanoparticulate carrier system, oligomeric film, cosmetics, Iontophoresis; self-assembly, conformational integrity, sonophoresis, microneedles, cell therapy, transdermal delivery system, chemical enhancers, controlled release, Drug de