Exploring the potential of intranasal drug delivery systems in the management of hypertension

Abstract

Objective The current review gives an overview on the anatomical and cellular structure of the nasal cavity. It presents some possibilities and different techniques to enhance the drug penetration through the nasal barrier. It comprehensively details the intranasal drug delivery system and the treatment modalities of hypertension, with emphasis on nanotechnology-based products. Methods Gather published works about the research progression in the systemic delivery of antihypertensive drugs through the nasal epithelium, the formulation tactics and their related in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assessment technologies in this field. Key findings Intranasal drug delivery is one of the potential routes for avoiding the first pass effect, lowering drug doses, reducing systemic side effects of most antihypertensive drugs and enhancing drug bioavailability. Conclusions Compared to oral medications, nasal medications often have better bioavailability and fewer adverse effects at the same dosage, which encourages pharmaceutical companies to manufacture additional medications in the form of nasal formulations intended for systemic treatment.

Nose-to-Heart Approach: Unveiling an Alternative Route of Acute Treatment

“…Due to minimal scientific interest and progress in the following decades, this way of administration remained largely unexplored. IN delivery still represents an emerging and innovative approach to achieve systemic effects of medications in cardiovascular events requiring acute therapeutic intervention, such as acute myocardial infarction, hypertensive crises, and cardiac arrhythmias [2][3][4]. The advantage of this non-invasive route is the rapid drug absorption through the nasal mucosa and the prompt systemic circulation, since it bypasses the first-pass metabolism and/or gastrointestinal breakdown that interferes with oral administration [1].…”

“…It is a pioneering pharmaceutical product specifically designed for the treatment of SVT and is currently undergoing evaluation [10]. Recently, Hassan et al (2023) [4] investigated the potential of IN delivery systems for hypertension management. Moreover, Wang et al (2023) [11] tested the potential of IN extracellular vesicles combined with hydrogel to treat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through the inhibition of inflammation and protection of endothelial function.…”