Advances in Drug Formulation

Drugs are an integral part of human health and survival. However, the drug alone is never administered. Rather, they are formulated into various forms such as solution, tablet, emulsion, capsule, injectable and many more. Efforts have been focused on improving the delivery of the drug to their target site(s) (for example, in brain. at tumour site, different internal organs) within the body by conjugating the formulation surface with various targeting ligands such as monoclonal antibodies, aptamers etc. In doing so, it is hoped to gain better pharmacological efficacy as it reduces the overall systemic dose and its effects on normal cells of the body. With the advent of nanotechnology and nanomedicine, the shape and size of the drug carriers at a nanoscale size has eased entry of various formulations into cells by achieving additional surface properties such as super magnetism, increased surface area, increased solubility, enhanced diffusivity - thereby providing improved therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of drug molecules. Thus, drug-formulations for treating disease and their pharmacological effects are intermingled.

This Research Topic will fundamentally focus on the alteration of pharmacological parameters by mechanistic approaches to drug formulation, which could demonstrate improved therapeutic efficacy. A mechanistic approach to the carrier system-properties of new chemicals that have potential as future drug delivery agents; existing molecules for site-specific drug delivery; or experimentally developed drug-carrier devices, will be welcomed in this Research Topic.