Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
delivery technique for the controlled administration of proteins and peptides could
potentially yield one or more biomedical benefits, such as less variation in absorp-
tion and metabolism; avoidance of risks and inconveniences; continuous drug deliv-
ery for proteins and peptides normally having a short biological half-life; bypassing
hepatic first-pass metabolism; prolonged or preprogrammed delivery of the drug at
the required therapeutic rate; rapid termination of the medication, if needed; and a
simplified therapeutic regimen, leading to better patient compliance. For conven-
tional drugs, topical products to treat dermatological ailments have been in continua-
tion from the start. For topical delivery of proteins and peptides, the drug must reach
local site skin ailments. Many topical drugs are proteins or peptides; one prominent
example is growth hormone, which has been discussed. Delivery systems like lipo-
somes are used for topical delivery of these drugs.
The vagina is a complex genital organ with multiple functions. First-pass effects
with local and hepatic proteases are almost avoided by using the uterine route.
However, bioavailability is less and fluctuates, so absorption promoters are required.
In summation, the uterine is a possible site for the systemic administration of pep-
tides and proteins. However, variations in absorption resulting from cyclic changes
in the reproductive organs throughout the life cycle must be taken into account in
developing new uterine delivery systems.
There are numerous examples of effective delivery of peptide and protein drugs
using the rectal route of administration. Use of an adjuvant to enhance the absorption
of peptides and proteins in order to obtain adequate absorption is needed for practical
use. This is true for larger molecules having relatively high aqueous solubility. Overall,
for a number of situations, the rectal route of administration has advantages over oral
and parenteral routes of administration for protein and peptide delivery. Rectal drug
delivery has emerged as a possible alternative for administering a number of protein
and polypeptide drugs and the method of choice for some proteins and peptides.
Other routes like transdermal, topical, rectal, and uterine are discussed. These are
used for possible protein and peptide delivery, taking into account various aspects
like local biological environment, use of various formulation excipients like absorp-
tion promoters, advantages and disadvantages of each route, and inherent properties
of the proteins or peptide.
Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge the financial assistance from TIFAC CORE in Novel Drug
Delivery System (NDDS), Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India, New Delhi, for providing research facilities to the team.
References
[1] Flynn GL. Developmental issues and research initiatives. In: Hadgraft J, Guy RH,
editors. Transdermal drug delivery. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 1989. p. 59-81.
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