Abstract

NAIL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM-A NOVEL APPROACHES FOR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Koram Heelima*, K. T. Sunil Kumar, Dundi Lilly Priyanka and Gadiyapudi Manikanta

ABSTRACT

Topical therapy is highly desirable in treating nail disorders due to its localized effects, which results in minimal adverse systemic events and possibly improved adherence. However, the effectiveness of topical therapies is limited by minimal drug permeability through the nail plate. Infections of foot and hand nails by fungi are a very common condition in millions of people. They account for about half of all nail disorders and are estimated to occur in over 10% of the population. Such infections may be difficult to treat, and currently prescribed oral antifungal medications may cause side effects ranging from skin rashes to liver damage. Other treatment modalities include the use of antifungal lacquers and topical medications. Topical trans-nail delivery of antifungal drugs is limited by several physicochemical and physiological factors. Use of chemical permeation enhancers has been a common approach for enhancing trans-nail delivery of drugs. The potential of physical permeation enhancement techniques has been found to be higher than the potential of chemical permeation enhancers in transdermal delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecular therapeutic agents. However, application of physical permeation enhancement techniques has not been explored for trans-nail drug delivery. In the current work, iontophoresis was applied across human nail in vitro to assess its efficiency in enhancing drug delivery. This new therapy may reduce the need for hazardous systemic administration of oral antifungal drugs for nail infections. A novel ultrasound-mediated drug delivery system has been developed for treatment of a nail fungal disorder (onychomycosis) by improving delivery to the nail bed using ultrasound to increase the permeability of the nail. The slip-in device consists of ultrasound transducers and drug delivery compartments above each toenail. The device is connected to a computer, where a software interface allows users to select their preferred course of treatment.

Keywords: Topical Trans-Nail Delivery, Human Nail, Antifungal Drugs, Iontophoresis.