Aquasomes: a promising carrier for peptides and protein delivery

Aquasomes are one of the most recently developed delivery systems that are finding a niche as peptide and protein carriers. These are nanoparticulate carrier systems with three-layered self-assembled structures. They comprise a central solid nanocrystalline core coated with polyhydroxy oligomers onto which biochemically active molecules are adsorbed. The solid core provides the structural stability, while the carbohydrate coating protects against dehydration and stabilizes the biochemically active molecules. This property of maintaining the conformational integrity of bioactive molecules has led to the proposal that aquasomes have potential as a carrier system for delivery of peptide-based pharmaceuticals. The delivery system has been successfully utilized for the delivery of insulin, hemoglobin, and various antigens. Oral delivery of enzymes like serratiopeptidase has also been achieved. This article discusses the problems faced in the delivery of clinically important peptides and presents aquasomes as a reliable approach to troubleshoot them. From the Clinical Editor: Aquasomes are nanoparticulate carrier systems with three layered self-assembled structures enabling the delivery peptide/protein based pharmaceuticals including enzymes, structural proteins or even antigens. This article discusses the problems faced in the delivery of clinically important peptides and presents aquasomes as a reliable approach to troubleshoot them. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.