Title:Bile Acid Nanoparticles - An Emerging Approach for Site Specific Drug Targeting
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Author(s): Vasanti Suvarna, Niserga Sawant, Pradnya Jadhav and Namita Desai*
Affiliation:
- C.U. Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University,
Sir Vithaldas Vidyavihar, Santacruz (W), Mumbai - 400 049, Maharashtra, India
Keywords:
Bile acid, bile salts, nanoparticles, drug delivery, cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid.
Abstract: Bile acids, a group of steroidal acids present in the bile act as biological surfactants and
ligands for bile acid transporter proteins for signalling molecules to perform various paracrine and
endocrine functions. The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids can be exploited to develop attractive
drug delivery approaches with improved targetability of facial amphiphiles and enhanced
drug bioavailability by improving absorption and metabolic stability. The effectiveness, safety
and targetability of nanoparticles conjugated with bile acids and salts have been discussed in the
present review. Various modifications of bile acids promoting absorption and oral bioavailability
of drugs for treatment of various disease conditions such as cancer, diabetes and psychosis has also
been discussed. Additionally, neuroprotective effect of bile acids and salts has demonstrated
utility in various neurodegenerative disorders. Nanoparticles based on bile acids and salts represent
an area of emergent interest due to their unique and modifiable properties for improving effectiveness
of drugs.