Today’s not a day to fool around because it’s Wisdom Wednesday!
The emergence of infectious diseases has been a threat to the general public health and global security. These diseases have spurred the deadliest of pandemics like the Spanish flu of 1918 and the current struggle against HIV/AIDS. Now, the world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
The emergence and re-emergence of various diseases are linked to biological, social, and environmental factors. As such, researchers in the past few decades have focused on developing new antiviral drugs to curb these life-threatening infections. However, resistance to current drugs add to the unceasing scientific challenge of drug discovery and formulation. This led to the exploration of new avenues for attacking viral diseases and for improving success-of-treatment rates.
Fortunately, our scientists—equipped with the latest medical technology—have increasingly become ingenious and creative. One of the current and flourishing research thrusts in the medical field would be the application of various DDSs in the treatment of various infectious diseases.
Yes, folks, you read it right! DDSs might actually be useful!
A drug delivery system (DDS) is a formulation or a device that enables the introduction of a substance (usually a drug) to the body and increases its potency by controlling the rate, time, and site of release. It is important to note that a DDS is different from the drug itself. You see, the journey of a drug from outside your body to its target seems straightforward: the drug is first administered, then it gets released to the bloodstream allowing the pharmaceutical agent to eventually reach its intended site. However, several biological interferences may occur along the way that may hamper the drug’s performance. One can think of a DDS as a delivery vehicle that transports the drug safely and more precisely to its preferred destination.
Say what now? A DDS, used to deliver drugs?! DROGA?! Well, yeah! And they’ve been around for so long that we’ve never stopped to think that even the most mundane of our medications are what we might consider as a “ka-DDS”.
One that we may be all too familiar with are orally administered drugs. The DDS associated with this comes as either a pill, a tablet, or a capsule—all of which can be generalized with the moniker “matrix tablets”. The drugs here are transported via macromolecule carriers, which have drug attachment sites, do not evoke unwanted body responses, and are biodegradable. However, bioavailability—the rate at which the unreacted substance reaches the specific site of action—has always been the issue of such drugs. They are exposed to a range of conditions during their movement in the gastrointestinal tract which, in turn, affects its reactivity and composition. Apart from the problem with bioavailability, conventional DDSs release the drug immediately with little or no control over the delivery rate.
To overcome these challenges, nanodelivery systems (nano-DDS) were introduced. These consist of nanoparticles, nanocapsules, vesicles, micelles, and inorganic nanomaterials, and are designed to deliver small molecular weight drugs. What are the advantages of downsizing a DDS, though? First, as a particle’s size decreases, a greater fraction of its atoms are located on the surface. Thus, the surface-area-to-volume ratio increases, making the particle more reactive. Nanocarriers also help control solubility and dissolution rates, protect sensitive drugs from deteriorating, increase bioavailability, and reduce side effects by improving the tissue drug tolerance.
Because of its size, nano-DDSs provide the possibility of targeting specific body sites. Another advantage would be its capacity to be multi-functional through surface modification. Nano-DDSs can also be monitored using different imaging technologies. Thus, real-time observations and controls can be done to ensure the efficiency of these transport systems. Moreover, these drug carriers can be employed in ocular (eyes), transdermal (skin), dental (teeth), and intranasal (nose) delivery systems.
Nanoparticles have similar dimensions with viruses. One study investigated the physical interaction of silver nanoparticles with viruses and if this interaction can be utilized in developing a new antiviral strategy. It showed that nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 10 to 50 nm inhibited the infection caused by several viruses including HIV, HBV, and monkeypox. This study then concluded that nanoparticles act as an inhibitor of viral attachment and entry into the host’s cells. Hence, drugs in the nanometer scale can be our best bet against viruses.
Several methods are currently used for the preparation of DDSs. And no, it’s not through indoctrination nor blind idolatry! Such techniques include fluid extraction, electrospraying, layer-by-layer self-assembly, and micro-emulsion, among others. A wide range of materials can also be employed in fabricating DDSs. However, biopolymers hold the most promise. Biopolymers such as silk fibroins, collagen, gelatin, starch, chitosan, and cellulose can be used to ensure the biocompatibility and biodegradability of the DDS.
In conclusion, DDSs (both the conventional and nano-scaled approach) show immense promise in the treatment and eradication of infectious diseases. However, its potential must first be translated to actual clinical applications. To do this, we must invest in and perform extensive research! This entails unwavering support to scientists that move heaven and earth to make life easier for us.
For now, we just have to wait for the day that these advanced DDSs will finally be useful in our society. #SolidDDS
References:
[1] Artika, I Made, Ageng Wiyatno, and Chairin Nisa Maroef. “Pathogenic Viruses: Molecular Detection and Characterization.” Infection, Genetics and Evolution 81 (2020): 104215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104215.
[2] Bruschi, Marcos Luciano. Strategies to Modify the Drug Release from Pharmaceutical Systems. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Woodhead Publishing, 2017.
[3] “Drug Delivery Systems.” National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed March 21, 2020. https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/drug-delivery-systems-getting-drugs-their-targets-controlled-manner.
[4] Fang, Xiaolin, Jiaojiao Cao, and Aizong Shen. “Advances in Anti-Breast Cancer Drugs and the Application of Nano-Drug Delivery Systems in Breast Cancer Therapy.” Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology 57 (2020): 101662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2020.101662.
[5] Jacob, Joby, Józef T. Haponiuk, Sabu Thomas, and Sreeraj Gopi. “Biopolymer Based Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery Systems: A Review.” Materials Today Chemistry 9 (2018): 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2018.05.002.
[6] Lembo, David, and Roberta Cavalli. “Nanoparticulate Delivery Systems for Antiviral Drugs.” Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 21, no. 2 (2010): 53–70. https://doi.org/10.3851/imp1684.
[7] Patra, Jayanta Kumar, Gitishree Das, Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto, Estefania Vangelie Ramos Campos, Maria Del Pilar Rodriguez-Torres, Laura Susana Acosta-Torres, Luis Armando Diaz-Torres, et al. “Nano Based Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Developments and Future Prospects.” Journal of Nanobiotechnology 16, no. 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-018-0392-8.
[8] Petrak, Karel. “The Structure and Properties of Materials Used in Advanced Drug Delivery Systems.” Bulletin of Materials Science 12, no. 1 (1989): 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02744593.
[9] Thassu, Deepak, Yashwant Pathak, and Michel Deleers. “Nanoparticulate Drug-Delivery Systems: An Overview.” Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems, 2007, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420008449-1.
Content by: MJ Namuco and Karl Alvarez
Design by: Claire Natividad
Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society.
Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!
#MaterialsScience
#WisdomWednesday
the mss post 