Abstract

A REVIEW ON CARRIERS USED IN TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY

Joshah Varghese* and Fini Thomas

ABSTRACT

Targeted drug delivery (TDD) is a progressive and resourceful method of targeting drugs to the patients in a desired chain which enhances the concentration of the drug only at the site of interest (tissue,cells or organs).[1] This will help in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the drug with minimal side effects and provides optimum bioavailability. TDD will provide the required constant amount of the API for a prolonged period of time to the targeted tissue/organ within the body. This helps in achieving the required plasma and tissue drug levels in the body without any significant damage to the healthy tissues.[1] The various carriers used for novel drug delivery systems include biodegradable microsphere polymers, synthetic and natural, nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, neutrophils, fibroblasts, artificial cells, lipoproteins, liposomes, micelles etc. While selecting the carriers for targeting the drugs, the physical and chemical aspects have to be considered. Toxicity of the drug and also the route of administration should also be taken care of.

Keywords: Targeted drug delivery, carriers, Liposomes, Dendrimers, Quantum dots.