AN OVERVIEW OF PHARMACOSOMES AS NOVEL VESICULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Supriyo Nej*, Dr. Falguni Patra and Dr. Beduin Mahanti

ABSTRACT

Novel drug delivery systems mainly focus on attaining the desired concentration of drug at the target site for the intended period of time using various carrier systems. Pharmacosomes are amphiphilic phospholipid complexes of drugs bearing active hydrogen that bind to phospholipid. The evaluation of pharmacosome is done on basis of different parameters such as size, surface morphology and in vitro release. Pharmacosomes are used as potential alternative for conventional vesicles like liposomes and nisomes because they produce a unique advantage over these conventional vesicle. They act by making an amphiphilic phospholipid complex with drug bearing active hydrogen atom covalently that bind to phospholipids. Pharmacosomes are also useful for maintaining low toxicity level of drug by minimizing the side effects. Pharmacosomes are used to achieve grater shelf life and better stability of drug. Bioavailability of poorly soluble drug increased by pharmacosomes and they also help to minimize the degradation of the drug. Using pharmacosomes as vesicular drug delivery system is economical compared to other technique. The drug releaseof pharmacosome is controlled by the process of enzymatic reaction and acid hydrolysis. Pharmacosomes are used for drug targeting in cancer and brain by using 3,5 – dioctanoyl – 5 – fluro – 2 – deoxyuridine. Pharmacosomes are capable of incorporating both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.

Keywords: Pharmacosomes, amphiphilic, Drug targeting, novel drug delivery system, phospholipids, bioavailability.