Low-frequency sonophoresis: current status and future prospects
Makoto Ogura1, Sumit Paliwal, Samir Mitragotri
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|May 3, 2008
Summary
Low-frequency ultrasound, or sonophoresis, significantly improves drug delivery through the skin. This review covers the mechanisms and progress in using sonophoresis for delivering macromolecules and in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Ultrasound Technology
Background:
- Ultrasound application enhances skin permeability, a process known as sonophoresis.
- Recent advancements in sonophoresis research focus on low-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz < f < 100 kHz).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanistic principles of low-frequency sonophoresis.
- To present the current status and understanding of low-frequency sonophoresis.
Main Methods:
- Review of theoretical and experimental approaches to understand sonophoresis mechanisms.
- Analysis of in vivo and clinical trial data for low-frequency sonophoresis applications.
Main Results:
- Low-frequency sonophoresis has demonstrated successful in vivo delivery of therapeutic macromolecules like insulin, low-molecular weight heparin, and vaccines.
- Clinical trials have shown efficacy for drugs such as lidocaine and cyclosporin using low-frequency sonophoresis.
Conclusions:
- Low-frequency sonophoresis is a promising technique for transdermal drug delivery.
- Novel theoretical and experimental insights are advancing the understanding of low-frequency sonophoresis mechanisms.
