Liposomal Encapsulation Delivers Medications More Efficiently

By Jody Leach


Drugs used to fight disease typically target specific physical systems or organs. Intravenous drips and injections are the most directly effective delivery method, transferring those medications directly to the blood. Orally administered drugs face degradation from the substances that accompany normal digestion. Liposomal encapsulation creates a protective bubble that wards off acids, while encouraging absorption.

Discoveries leading to this process emerged nearly fifty years ago, and have led to the introduction of more controlled methods of administering medications. It is currently important in treating serious medical conditions such as some forms of cancer, treatment-resistant fungal infections, and degenerative vision conditions commonly associated with old age. Standard drug delivery mechanisms still predominate, but encapsulation is proving equally beneficial.

For drugs to survive the upper digestive tract intact, they need to be protected by some kind of barrier that does not cause any additional physical problems. The best solution so far is to create microscopic drug capsules using a material that is already a part of cellular walls throughout the human organism. When activated using one of three primary methods available today, tiny protective liposome bubbles are formed.

These individual capsules can be ingested together in a medium, and are shielded from damage until they can be absorbed into the bloodstream via the small intestine. In many cases this process improves the overall therapeutic goal, with the added benefit of fewer side effects. While a significant improvement, this method of delivery does not accommodate all drugs, and works best with water-soluble medications.

Because it involves fewer undesirable reactions than invasive delivery, there are immediate advantages of using this process. Liposomes are bio-compatible and biodegradable, leaving behind no undesirable toxins. They not only survive the onslaught of digestive acids, but are able to function as small time-release ports within the gut. When potentially toxic drugs must be used to fight cancers, fewer sensitive tissues face unwanted exposure.

While immediately useful in delivering medication, the process does have drawbacks. The cost of production remains high, but will very likely decrease as research into new product uses expands. There have been issues regarding seal leakage, and common oxidation may also reduce effectiveness. The half-lives of certain drugs decrease using this process, and long-term stability may be shortened. Even so, the potential benefits outweigh known negatives.

The past ten years have witnessed a transition from primarily medical use to include delivery of cosmetic and nutritional substances. There is ample anecdotal evidence touting the additional well-being that may result from delivering common vitamin dosages in this fashion. Many people subscribe to the idea that vitamin C is a natural enemy of upper respiratory infections, and also believe that this type of delivery increases effectiveness.

Although there is currently widespread information available outlining personal production of encapsulated herbs, vitamins and minerals, making medical-quality products is costly and complicated, and is not a panacea for the problems associated with aging. As uses for this drug delivery process continue to grow, consumers will benefit most from its incorporation into health regimens that are already known to be beneficial.




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