Aquasomes are a recently developed nanoparticle drug delivery system composed of three layers: a solid inorganic core coated with an oligomeric film layer to which bioactive molecules such as proteins, peptides, hormones, antigens or genes can be adsorbed. They are spherical structures between 60-300nm in size that self-assemble via non-covalent and ionic bonds. The core provides structural stability while the coating protects and stabilizes the drug. Aquasomes have been used to successfully deliver insulin, hemoglobin and enzymes. They can target delivery of molecules like peptides to specific sites and have applications as vaccines and for delivery of enzymes, blood substitutes and cosmetic pigments.

1. Assignment: Aquasomes
Name: Devilal K.
Roll no: NIPERA1719PE09
 Aquasomes are one of the most recently developed delivery system for bioactive
molecules like peptide, protein, hormones, antigens and genes to specific sites.
 Aquasomes are spherical in shape with 60–300 nm particles size. These are nanoparticulate
carrier systems but instead of being simple nanoparticles these are three layered self
assembled structures, comprised of a solid phase nanocrystalline core coated with oligomeric
film to which biochemically active molecules are adsorbed with or without modification.
 These structures are self assembled by non covalent and ionic bonds. The solid core provides
the structural stability, while the carbohydrate coating protects against dehydration and
stabilizes the biochemically active molecules
 Method of preparation of aquasomes: The method of preparation of aquasomes
involves three steps. The general procedure consists of Formation of an inorganic core,
followed by Coating of the core with polyhydroxy oligomer, and finally loading of the
drug of choice to this assembly.
 Application of aquasome:
1. The delivery system has been successfully utilized for the delivery of insulin,
hemoglobin, and enzymes like serratiopeptidase etc.
2.the aquasome high degree of surface exposure is exploited in targeting of bioactive
molecules like peptide and pro tein hormones enzymes,antigens and genes to specific sites
3. Aquasomes used as vaccines for delivery of viral antigen i.e. Epstein-Barr and Immune
deficiency virus to evoke correct antibody, objective of vaccine therapy must be triggered by
conformationally specific target molecules
4. Aquasomes also used for delivery of enzymes like DNAase and pigments/dyes because
enzymes activity fluctuates with molecular conformation and cosmetic properties of pigment
are sensitive to molecular conformation.
5. Aquasomes as red blood cell substitutes, haemoglobin immobilized on oligomer surface
because release of oxygen by haemoglobin is conformationally sensitive. By this toxicity is
reduced, haemoglobin concentration of 80% achieved and reported to deliver blood in non
linear manner like natural blood cells.
 Reference:
 An overview on nanocarrier technology- Aquasomes , Shahabade Gururaj S*,Bhosale Ashok
V,Mutha Swati S.,Bhosale Nilesh R.,Khade Prashant H.,Bhadane Nishant P.,Shinde Sagar T.
 AQUASOMES: A NOVEL DRUG CARRIER Sanjay S. Jain, Pramod S. Jagtap, Neha M.
Dand, Kisan R. Jadhav and Vilasrao J. Kadam