Presented By
Pharm.D (PB)
(M.Pharm Pharmaceutics)

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVE
PROPERTIES OF AQUASOMES
PRINCIPLE OF SELF ASSEMBLY
METHOD OF PREPARATION OF AQUASOMES
EVALUATION
ADVANTAGES
APPLICATION
REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION
Aquasomes were first discovered by Nir Kossovsky.
These are nanopaticulate carrier system with three layer
self assembled structure
These comprises of central solid nanocrystallinecore
coated with polyhydroxyoligomers onto which
biochemically active molecules are adsorbed.

Drug/Bioactive material
Carbohydrate
Coating
Ceramic Coating
Fig. Structure Of An Aquasome

Aquasomes are also called as “Bodies Of Water”,and
their water like properties protect and preserve
fragile biological molecules.
Maintain confirmational integrity as well as high
degree of surface exposure.
The carbohydrate stabilize nanoparticle of ceramic
are known as “Aquasomes”.
Aquasomes are spherical 60-300nm particle used for
drug and antigen delivery.

Carbohydrate Film
Polyhydroxy oligomeric
film coating
Bioactive
molecules
Ceramic
Nanocrystalline core

OBJECTIVE
The main objective of preparing aquasomes is to
protect bio-actives.
Aquasomes carbohydrate coating prevents
destruction denaturing interaction between drug and
solid carriers.
Aquasomes maintain molecular confirmation and
optimum pharmacological activity.

Properties
of
Aquasome
Provides a platform for preserving the
conformational integrity of bioactive substances.
Deliver their contents through a combination of
specific targeting ,slow and sustained release.
Protect the drug/antigen/protein from harsh pH
condition & enzymatic degradation.
They exhibit the physical properties of colloids &
their MOA is controlled by their surface chemistry.

Principle Of Self Assembly
Governed By 3 Processes
A
B
C
Interaction Between charged particles
Hydrogen Bonding & Dehydration
Effect
Structural Stability

Method of preparation of Aquasomes
1
2 Coating of core
3 Immobilization Of Drug Molecule
Preparation of core

1. Preparation Of Core
It is mainly depends upon:-
• Selection of material
• Its physical chemical properties
This can be fabricated by:-
• Sonication
• Colloidal precipitation
• For the core material ,ceramic material is widely used as they are
structurally to be known.
• Commonlyused ceramic core tin oxide & calcium phosphate.

Example:-Synthesis Of Nanocrystalline tin
oxide core material
This can be prepared by Direct current
reactive
3 inch diameter target of highly purified tin is sputterd in
High pressure gas mixture of argon & oxyen
The ultrafine particles form in gas phase are collected on copper tube &
cooled to 70 degree kelvin with liquid nitrogen
1
2
3

2.Coating Of Core
The second step involves the coating by carbohydrate on the
surface of ceramic core.
There are number of process to enable the carbohydrate
(polyhydroxy oligomers)coating to absorb epitaxially on the
surface or the nano crystalline ceramic cores.
Commonly used coating material are:-
• Cellobiose
• Citrate
• Sucrose
• trihalose

Process generally entails
Addition of polyhydroxy oligomer
To a dispersion of core in ultra pure water
Lyophilization (to promote the adsorption of carbohydrate on the surface
of ceramic core
Excess of carbohydrate is removed by stir cell ultrafiltration

3.Immobilization Of Drug
TheDrugCanbe loadedbypartialadsorption
Prepare the solution of drug with known concentration in suitable
buffer
Disperse the coated particles in it
Keep the dispersion overnight at low temperature or lyophilize it

Evaluation
Evaluation parameter
Evaluation of
ceramic core
Evaluation of
sugar coating
Evaluation of drug
loaded aquasome
Structure analysis
Particle
morphology
Colorimetric
analysis
Zeta
potential
Size & shape
Glass transition
temperature
In vitro drug
release studies
Drug loading
efficiency

ADVANTAGES
Increases therapeuticefficacy of pharmaceutically
active agent.
Used for various imaging test.
Act as vaccine delivery system
Novel carrier for enzyme such as DNAses and
pigment/dyes.

APPLICATION
Oxygen Carrier
For immunotherapy
For oral route
Anti thrombic activity
Deliveray of poorly soluble drug
Enzyme delivery
Insulin delivery
Antigen delivery