PHARMACOSOMES: AN UPDATED REVIEW

Abstract

Different lipid based vesicular systems have been developed as controlled and targeted drug delivery systems. Pharmacosomes are novel vesicular drug delivery systems. They are potential alternative to conventional vesicles. Pharmacosomes are the amphiphilic phospholipids complexes of drugs bearing active hydrogen that bind to phospholipids. Similar to other vesicular systems pharmacosomes provide an efficient method for delivery of drug directly to the site of infection, leading to reduction of drug toxicity with no adverse effects. They also reduces the cost of therapy by improving bioavailability of medication, especially in the case of poorly soluble drugs. This approach as a drug delivery system certainly promises a reliable, safe, selective and precise method of drug delivery. They help in controlled release of drug at the site of action as well as in reduction in cost of therapy, drug leakage and toxicity, increased bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, and restorative effects. They are mainly prepared by hand-shaking and ether injection method. The Pharmacosomes have evaluated for different parameters such as size, surface morphology and in vitro release rate. This article reviews the potential of pharmacosomes as a controlled and targeted drug delivery systems and highlights the methods of preparation and characterization. Peer Review History: Received 15 February 2017; Revised 25 February; Accepted 28 February, Available online 15 March 2017 Academic Editor: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Emmanuel Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com Dr. Heba M. Abd El-Azim, Damanhour University, Egypt, h_m_abdelazim@hotmail.com