Abstract

NANOSPONGES AS ADVANCED NANOCARRIERS FOR CONTROLLED AND TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Krishna K. R., Manoj M.*, Parthiban S.

ABSTRACT

Nanosponges are advanced nanostructured drug deliverysystems characterized by a highly porous, three-dimensionalpolymeric network capable of encapsulating a wide range oftherapeutic agents. Owing to their unique architecture,nanosponges offer significant advantages such as improveddrug stability, enhanced solubility, and controlled releasebehaviour. In topical drug delivery, nanosponges have emergedas a promising carrier system due to their ability to localizedrug action within the skin layers, thereby minimizing systemicabsorption and reducing adverse effects. Their small particlesize and porous nature facilitate prolonged residence time onthe skin surface and allow sustained release of activecompounds, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy andpatient compliance. Various methods have been employed forthe preparation of nanosponges, including solvent evaporation,melt method, and ultrasound-assisted techniques, eachinfluencing the physicochemical properties of the final formulation. Characterizationparameters such as particle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug releaseplay a crucial role in evaluating nanosponge performance. This review highlights thefundamentals of nanosponge technology with special emphasis on their application in topicaldrug delivery, discussing formulation approaches, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives. Overall, nanosponges represent a versatile and effective platform for the development of improved topical formulations.

Keywords: Nanosponges, Controlled drug delivery, Targeted drug delivery, Topical drug delivery.