Abstract

MICROSPONGES: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION-A REVIEW

Gaurav Ramesh Chale*, Dr. Santosh R. Tambe, Kiran B. Erande, Pranav C. Kulkarni and Chhaya H. Gawali

Abstract

Microsponges are patented porous microspheres polymeric delivery systems consisting of porous microspheres that can entrap with wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients like as emollients, essential oils, fragrances, sunscreens, and anti-fungal, anti-infective and antiinflammatory agents.[1] Each microsphere consists of a myriad of interconnecting voids within a non-collapsible structure having large porous surface. The microsponge technology was developed by Won at 1987, and the original patents were assigned to Advanced Polymer Systems, This company developed a large number of variations of the technique and applied those to the over-the-counter (OTC) as well as cosmetic and prescription pharmaceutical product.[2] Thus, there is a need to develop a delivery system to maximize residence time of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the skin. Such a new system would possibly increase the efficacy of the topically active agents while enhancing product safety. The microsponges are polymeric delivery devices which contain active ingredients with release API onto the skin over of time in response to a trigger. This Review contained brief introduction, structure, characteristic, advantages over different conventional formulation, material, methods and its application with marketed examples.

Keywords: Microsponges, over-the-counter(OTC), porousmicrospheres, microsponge technology, marketed examples.