Abstract

MICROSPHERES: A UNIQUE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH IMMENSE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SOLICITATIONS

Rajesh Tiwari*

Abstract

Term microspheres defined as “free flowing particle with size range 50nm to 2 mm containing the API”. Generally, the terms microspheres & microcapsules are used synonymously. Although other various terms like “microbeads” & spherical particles (for larger particles) also used. Ideally the size of microspheres considers less than 200μm. In these spheres the drugs are either in dispersed or dissolved in polymeric matrix uniformly which has capable to control release the drug to desired rate. This system achieved greater attention not only because of prolonged release but also for the delivering the anticancer drugs to desired site. Moreover, microsphere is modestly adopted by human body and these microspheres easily diagnosis the diseases. Microspheres, due to high surface area and low particle size significantly increase the absorption rate and bio-availability. They are also useful to provide the controlled release or sustained release and site specific drug delivery. In future by combining various other strategies microsphere will find a central place in advanced drug delivery, particularly in diagnostics, diseased cell sorting, gene and genetic material delivery, targeted and effective in-vivo delivery. The present review explains the methodology of preparation of microspheres and their recent applications and also updates the recent research on microspheres.

Keywords: Microspheres, Sustained release, polymers, drug delivery.