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Related Concept Videos

Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport01:24

Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport

Drugs must traverse multiple biological barriers, such as multi-layered skin, single-layered intestinal epithelium, and the plasma membrane, to reach their target sites within the body. The plasma membrane, a highly structured composite of phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, is the cell's protective boundary, facilitating selective substance exchange.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Mechanisms of Drug Absorption: Paracellular, Transcellular, and Vesicular Transport01:23

Mechanisms of Drug Absorption: Paracellular, Transcellular, and Vesicular Transport

Drugs need to permeate cell membranes to reach their target sites after administration. Orally administered drugs must transcend intestinal epithelial membrane barriers to infiltrate the systemic circulation. Drugs with a molecular weight of less than 500 Daltons diffuse through gaps between neighboring cells, called paracellular pathways.
However, most drugs use the transcellular route, traversing directly through the cell membranes via two mechanisms: passive and active transport. Passive...
Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport01:17

Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport

Pore transport and ion-pair formation are critical mechanisms for the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body.
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited  but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct microscopic...
Micelles01:30

Micelles

Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

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Updated: May 11, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
18:57

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers

Published on: October 17, 2013

How do polymeric micelles cross epithelial barriers?

Ivan Pepić1, Jasmina Lovrić, Jelena Filipović-Grčić

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ipepic@pharma.hr

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences : Official Journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences
|April 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Polymeric micelles offer a promising non-invasive method for drug delivery, overcoming biological barriers like epithelial tissues. These nanotechnology systems facilitate drug transport across cells for effective local or systemic treatment.

Keywords:
Non-parenteral deliveryPolymeric micellesPre-epithelial obstaclesTransepithelial journey

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
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Published on: October 17, 2013

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
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Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Drug Delivery
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Non-parenteral drug delivery faces challenges crossing biological barriers, especially epithelial tissues.
  • Nanotechnology-based delivery systems offer a promising non-invasive approach.
  • Polymeric micelles are investigated for their potential in transepithelial drug transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epithelial barriers and their potential for non-parenteral drug delivery.
  • To assess the role of polymeric micelle characteristics in drug transport.
  • To outline mechanisms of polymeric micelle internalization and transport across epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on epithelial barriers and nanotechnology-based drug delivery.
  • Analysis of polymeric micelle properties (size, charge, surface modification).
  • Discussion of internalization mechanisms and transport pathways.

Main Results:

  • Polymeric micelles can overcome epithelial barriers through cellular internalization and crossing.
  • Micelle characteristics significantly influence interactions with mucus and epithelial cells.
  • Specific examples highlight successful transport of drug-loaded micelles across epithelial barriers.

Conclusions:

  • Polymeric micelles are effective for non-parenteral drug delivery across epithelial tissues.
  • Understanding micelle-material interactions is crucial for optimizing drug transport.
  • This approach holds potential for enhanced local and systemic drug delivery.