A CURRENT ERA IN PULSATILE DRUG DELIVERY: A DRUG'S JOURNEY BASED ON CHRONOBIOLOGY

Abstract

Background: Pulsatile Drug Delivery Systems (PDDS) are at the forefront of advanced drug administration, designed to release therapeutic agents in a rapid, predetermined manner after a specific lag time. This approach is rooted in the principles of chronobiology, synchronizing a drug's journey with the body's natural circadian rhythms to enhance therapeutic efficacy for a variety of diseases.

Methods: This review synthesizes information from recent peer- reviewed literature, focusing on the mechanisms, applications, and emerging technologies in pulsatile drug delivery. The analysis covers foundational concepts and advanced systems, including nanomaterial- enabled platforms and externally controlled devices, with a special emphasis on their application in managing chronotherapeutic diseases.

Results: PDDS are broadly categorized based on their trigger mechanism: time-controlled, stimuli-responsive, and externally regulated systems. These technologies have shown immense potential in treating conditions with strong circadian patterns, such as cardiovascular diseases, asthma, arthritis, and peptic ulcers. The integration of nanomaterials, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and remote- control technologies like acoustic triggers is pushing the boundaries of what's possible, allowing for multi-pulse and highly specific drug release profiles.

Conclusion: Pulsatile drug delivery offers a significant advantage over conventional dosing by aligning treatment with the body's internal clock, thereby improving efficacy and reducing side effects. Significant research, including notable contributions from India, is focused on developing multi-pulse and nano-enhanced systems. While challenges in manufacturing and inter-individual variability remain, the future of PDDS is bright, promising more personalized and effective treatments for chronic diseases.