Abstract

AQUASOMES: AN ADVANCED DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR BIOMOLECULES

Arshpreet*, Ankit Soni and Mahesh Kumar Kataria

ABSTRACT

Aquasomes are one of the newest delivery system for bioactive molecules like peptide, protein, hormones, antigens and genes to specific sites. Aquasomes are spherical in shape with 60–300 nm particles size. These are nanoparticulate carrier systems but instead of being simple nanoparticles these are three layered self assembled structures, comprised of a solid phase nanocrystalline core coated with oligomeric film to which biochemically active molecules are adsorbed with or without modification. These structures are self assembled by different bonds such as non covalent and ionic bonds. The solid core provides the structural stability, while the carbohydrate coating protects against dehydration and stabilizes the biochemically active molecules. This system has been successfully used for the delivery of insulin, hemoglobin, and enzymes like serratiopeptidase etc. This article assesses the principles of self assembly, the hardships of maintaining the conformational integrity and biochemical activity of immobilized surface pairs, the modification of these principles into a single functional composition and its applications in various fields of pharmacy.

Keywords: Bioactive molecules, Nanoparticulate carrier system, Oligomeric film, Carbohydrate, Self assembly, Conformational integrity.