TRANS NASAL ADMINISTRATION OF DRUG[i]

The convenience of administration and improved patient compliance are important in the design of nasal drug delivery system which remains the preferred route of drug delivery in spite of various disadvantages. Therapy through intranasal administration has been an accepted form of treatment in the Ayurvedic system of Indian Medicine. Advances in biotechnology have made available a large number of protein and peptide drug for the treatment of a variety of diseases. These drugs are unsuitable for oral administration because they are significantly degraded in the gastrointestinal tract or considerably metabolized by first pass effect in the liver. Even the parenteral route is inconvenient for long term therapy. Of many alternate routes tried, intranasal drug delivery is found much promising for administration of these drugs. In this article, an overview on the design and development of intranasal drug delivery system is presented. Advantages of NDDS are Drug degradation that is observed in the gastrointestinal tract is absent, hepatic first pass metabolism is absent, Rapid drug absorption and quick onset of action can be achieved, bioavailability of larger drug molecules can be improved by means of absorption enhancer or other approach, the nasal bioavailability for smaller drug molecules is good, Drugs that are orally not absorbed can be delivered to the systemic circulation by nasal drug delivery, Studies so far carried out indicate that the nasal route is an alternate to parenteral route, especially, for protein and peptide drugs, convenient for the patients, especially for those on long term therapy, when compared with parenteral medication, Large nasal mucosal surface area for dose absorption, rapid drug absorption via highly-vascularized mucosa, ease of administration, non-invasive, lower dose/reduced side

effects.

[i]Sachin Chhajed*, Sagar Sangale and S.D. Barhate, Advantageous Nasal Drug Delivery System: A Review, International Journal OfPharmaceutical Sciences And Research, ISSN (Online): 0975-8232,

P 1322-1336,http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.2(6).1322-36

AROMA THERAPY[i]

AROMA THERAPY is the use of concentrated essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, and other plant parts to treat various diseases. The proponents of aromatherapy lay claim to an ancient tradition of herbal medicine practised in countries such as Egypt and India thousands of years ago. However, the term was initially used by the French chemist Gattefossé in a book first published in 1936.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are typically extracted from various parts of plants and then distilled. The highly concentrated oils may be inhaled directly or indirectly or applied to the skin through massage, lotions or bath salts. Some essential oil manufacturers have oils that can be taken internally, but research on the safety and efficacy of this method is extremely limited.

Aromatherapy[i] is thought to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions.

Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants — is limited.

However, some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits, including:

• Relief from anxiety and depression
• Improved quality of life, particularly for people with chronic health conditions
• Improved sleep

Smaller studies suggest that aromatherapy with lavender oil may help:

• Reduce pain for people with osteoarthritis of the knee
• Improve quality of life for people with dementia
• Reduce pain for people with kidney stones

[i]https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/aromatherapy/faq-20058566

[i]Cooke B, Ernst E. Aromatherapy: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract. 2000;50(455):493-496.

RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN NASAL DRUG DELIVERY[i]

Nasal drug delivery system offers lucrative way of drug delivery both topical and systemic therapies. The high permeability, high vasculature and low enzymatic environment of nasal cavity are well suitable for systemic delivery of drug molecules via nose with remarkable bioavailability. 

The noninvasiveness and self administrative nature of nasal also attracts the formulation scientists to deliver protein and peptides compounds.

Despite of all the advantages, the bioavailability of nasally administered products are affected by many barriers such as physiological, physicochemical and formulation barriers. Nasal absorption obeys passive and active transport pathways . The absorption mechanism intramucosal transportation is regulated by simple diffusion, facilitated transport and active transport.

Merits:

• Avoidance of hepatic first-pass metabolism
• Rate of absorption comparable to IV medication
• Rapid onset of pharmacological action
• User-friendly, painless, non-invasive, needle-free administration mode

Demerits:

• Once administered, rapid removal of the therapeutic agent from the site of absorption is difficult
• Pathologic conditions such as cold or allergies may alter significantly the nasal bioavailability
•  Bioavailability of nasally administered drugs is particularly restricted by low drug solubility, rapid enzymatic degradation in nasal cavity, poor membrane penetration and rapid mucociliary clearance.

NASAL DRUG DELIVERY TECHNIQUES:

1. Delivery Devices: Delivery devices have a profound impact on drug deposition.At present typical delivery devices include solutions, nasal sprays (solutions and suspensions), gels, and powders .
2. Snorting: A highly concentrated powder form of a drug and  rapidly sniff the drug into the nostril. This causes deposition of the powder onto the nasal mucosa and rapid transfer of the drug into the circulation and brain.
3. Drug Delivery as drops using a Syringe or Dropper: A second method of intranasal drug delivery is to take a solubilized medication (liquid form) and drip it into the nose a few drops at a time, allowing it to run down onto the nasal mucosa
4. Drug Delivery as drops using a Syringe or Dropper:This delivery technique combines a method of measuring a unit dose of medication – either via a syringe or unit dose pump with a spray tip that fragments the medication into fine particles as it is being sprayed into the nose.  It appears that this method of delivery results in a broader distribution of the medication across the nasal mucosa and an increased bioavailability of the drug
5. Delivery of Non- Peptide Pharmaceuticals: Drugs with extensive pre-systemic metabolism, such as progesterone, estradiol, propranolol, nitroglycerin and sodium chromoglyate can be rapidly absorbed through the nasal mucosa with a systemic bioavailability of approximately 100%.
6. Delivery of peptide-based pharmaceuticals: Peptides & proteins have a generally low oral bioavailability because of their physico-chemical instability and susceptibility to hepato-gastrointestinal first-pass elimination e.g., Insulin, Calcitonin, Pituitary hormones etc. Nasal route is proving to be the best route for such biotechnological products
7. Delivery of diagnostic:

Phenol sulfonaphthalein- kidney function

Secretin- pancreatic disorders

Pentagastrin- secretory function of gastric acid                        

Requirements for ideal nasal drug delivery devices includes 

• Accurate and repeatable dosing
• Consistent delivery to the optimal site of action
• Protection for preservative free formulations in multidose presentations
• Patient independent actuation
• Compliance monitors and aids

[i]Addisu Yenet, Nisha M. Joseph*, S .Palani , Zelalem Ayenew , Musie Ghezu  and Anish Zacharia, Newer advancement in nasal drug delivery system, International Journal OfPharmaceutical Sciences And Research,,ISSN (Online): 0975-8232,p 24-29, http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.1(10).24-29