Title:Therapeutic Application of Microsponges-based Drug Delivery Systems
Volume: 28
Issue: 8
Author(s): Mahfoozur Rahman, Waleed H. Almalki, Sunil K. Panda, Aman K. Das, Saad Alghamdi, Kriti Soni, Abdul Hafeez, Mayank Handa, Sarwar Beg*Ziyaur Rahman*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and
Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
- Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas
A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843, USA
Keywords:
Microsponges, nanosponges, oral delivery, topical applications, skin irritation, intestinal membrane.
Abstract: Microsponges delivery systems (MDS) are highly porous, cross-linked polymeric systems that activate
due to temperature, pH, or when rubbed. MDS offer a wide range of advantages, like controlled drug release,
site-specific action, stability over a broad range of pH, less irritation, cost-effectiveness, and improved
patient compliance. They can be transformed into various dosage forms like creams, gels, and lotions. MDS are
suitable for the treatment of topical disorders like acne, psoriasis, dandruff, eczema, scleroderma, hair loss, skin
cancer, and other dreadful diseases. The applications of MDS in drug delivery are not limited to topical drug
delivery but are also explored for oral, parenteral, and pulmonary drug deliveries. Microsponges have been
studied for colon targeting of drugs and genes. Additionally, MDS have several applications such as sunscreen,
cosmetics, and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Furthermore, MDS do not actuate any irritation, genotoxicity,
immunogenicity, or cytotoxicity. Therefore, this review extensively highlights microsponges, their advantages,
key factors affecting their characteristics, their therapeutic applications in topical disorders and in cancer, their
use as cosmetics, as well as recent advances in MDS and the associated challenges.
