Abstract

MICROSPHERES: AN OVERVIEW

M. S. Chavan*, S. A. Nikam and P. R. Mahaparale

Abstract

The aim of drug delivery system is to provide a therapeutic amount of drug to the proper site in the body and then maintain the desired drug concentration. The controlled drug delivery system can overcome few drawbacks of conventional therapy and enhance therapeutic efficacy of the given drug. There are various approaches in delivering therapeutic substance to the target site in sustained and controlled release fashion. One such approach is using microspheres as carriers for drug. Microspheres or microparticles are small spherical particles, with diameters in the micrometer range (typically 1 μm to 1000 μm). Microspheres are prepared by synthetic and natural materials. These are prepared by methods like Single emulsion, Double emulsion, Polymerization, Phase separation, Emulsion solvent evaporation and solvent diffusion. Microspheres are having wide range of applications because of controlled and sustained release. It is important carrier for safe and effective in vivo drug delivery.

Keywords: Microspheres, Characterization of microspheres, Controlled release, Target site, Specificity, Therapeutic efficacy, Novel drug delivery.