Absorption enhancer approach for protein delivery by various routes of administration: a rapid review

Abstract

As bioactive molecules, peptides and proteins are essential in living organisms, including animals and humans. Defects in their function lead to various diseases in humans. Therefore, the use of proteins in treating multiple diseases, such as cancers and hepatitis, is increasing. There are different routes to administer proteins, which have limitations due to their large and hydrophilic structure. Another limitation is the presence of biological and lipophilic membranes that do not allow proteins to pass quickly. There are different strategies to increase the absorption of proteins from these biological membranes. One of these strategies is to use compounds as absorption enhancers. Absorption enhancers are compounds such as surfactants, phospholipids and cyclodextrins that increase protein passage through the biological membrane and their absorption by different mechanisms. This review focuses on using other absorption enhancers and their mechanism in protein administration routes.

Keywords:

• Protein delivery
• absorption enhancer
• surfactants
• administration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This article is the result of a research project approved by the Student Research Committee of the Kerman University of Medical Science (401000904), which was carried out with the financial support of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology of the University.