Microsponges: A Novel Strategy to Control the Delivery Rate of Active Agents with Reduced Skin Irritancy

Abstract

Microsponges are particulate system which is composed by porous polymeric material. As compare to Conventional topical formulations, microsponge provide controlled release of the drug in the epidermis, it is to ensure that the drug is mainly localized and does not unduly entering the systemic circulation, it is a new area of research. The active ingredient needs to maximize the time to stay on the skin, while reducing transdermal penetration. Apart from this, there is a problem of unethical vehicles that can be viscous sticky deformation and skin irritation. One of the biggest challenges of now a days is to control irritability for a predetermined site of active agents in the human body. Microsponges delivery system is a unique technique for controlled release with low irritant involving many triggers of Mechanism for the release of drugs. The Microsponge Delivery system is a polymeric porous microspheres, which can trap a wide range of effective elements such as anti-fungus, anti-infected, anti- inflammatory agent, fragrance and essential agent. This review includes different techniques used to prepare microsponges, formulation consideration, safety consideration, drug release mechanism, and challenges with microsponge drug delivery system along with their advantages, disadvantages and applications. In the current review, we summarize the updated application and capacity of Microsponge as an effective drug-delivery system to reduce skin irritation.
 Keywords: Microsponges; quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion; Porous microspheres; Controlled release.