Delivery of biopharmaceuticals using combination of liposome and iontophoresis: a review

Non-invasive route for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals is one of the interesting areas in drug delivery systems. Since stratum corneum is regarded as an effective physical barrier to permeation of high molecular weight biopharmaceuticals, several methods have been studied for overcoming this problem and enhancing their permeation. The one technique for better transdermal delivery is to use drug carriers such as microemulsions, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes. These carriers can facilitate the permeation of drugs by modifying physicochemical characteristics of entrapped ingredient. Liposomes are used as potential drug carriers to enhance the percutaneous absorption of various biopharmaceuticals. Iontophoresis is another enhancing method to increase the biomembrane permeability of ionic or charged compounds using electric potential. The new strategies combining liposomes and iontophoresis technique are increasing rapidly in the field of drug delivery and possess additional benefits. It is possible to deliver neutral drugs by entrapping them in charged vehicle and their flux can be enhanced by iontophoresis. Thus, combination of liposome and iontophoresis can be effective means for transdermal permeation of biopharmaceuticals in a non-invasive and sustainable fashion. © 2015, The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology.