Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 21, Issue 31, 2015

This review is based on carriers of natural origin such as polysaccharides, proteins, and cell derived entities which have been used for delivery of siRNA. To realize the therapeutic potential of a delivery system, the role of the carrier is of utmost importance. Historical aspects of viral vectors, the first carriers of genes are briefly outlined. Chitosan, one of the extensively experimented carriers, alginates and other polysaccharid Read More

The ‘RNA interference’ has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy owing to its high specificity to silent any malfunctioned gene in diseases with genetic background. Currently intravenous delivery of siRNA has been a preferred way of administration due to high access of blood to the organs where direct delivery is not possible. Among non-viral delivery systems enabling systemic delivery of siRNA, liposomes and lipid e Read More

Various cells of the human physiological system have the capability to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) involved in intercellular transport of proteins and nucleic acids. Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles having their origin through endocytic pathway. While being involved in intercellular transport of macromolecules, exosomes, due to their presence in several body fluids, can also be utilized as a system to co Read More

Since its discovery in the late 1990, small interfering RNA (siRNA) have quickly crept into the biopharmaceutical research as a new and powerful tool for the treatment of different human diseases based on altered gene-expression. Despite promising data from many pre-clinical studies, concrete hurdles still need to be overcome to bring therapeutic siRNAs in clinic. The design of stimuli-sensitive nanopreparations for gen Read More

RNA interference has emerged as an innovative technology for gene silencing that degrades mRNAs complementary to the antisense strands of double-stranded, short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Its therapeutic application has important advantages over small-molecule drugs since offers the possibility of targeting virtually all genes and allows selective silencing of one or several genes. So far, a relative small proportion of cell Read More

Drug delivery to the eye is challenging for formulation scientists due to physiological barriers that separate the eye from the rest of the body. A variety of ocular disorders demand the development of optimal drug delivery systems for the administration of drugs and therapeutic agents that can overcome barriers that restrict drug bioavailability. SiRNA inhibits the expression of target genes and has immense potential as a bio Read More

The topical application of therapeutic agent has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of skin disorders. The siRNA based therapies have been used for treatment of various disorders including skin diseases. The topical delivery of siRNA based therapies has opened new perspectives for the treatment of skin disorders. The use of siRNA is limited due to the rapid degradation and poor cellular uptake. Also, the stratum corneu Read More

Brain diseases are the most serious health problems; represent a significant and worldwide public health problem. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can initiate specific silencing of genes and are potential therapeutic agents for many genetically influenced diseases including brain disease. However, on systemic administration the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses most significant obstacle for the therapeutic siRNAs delivery to Read More

siRNA technology presents a helpful means of gene silencing in mammalian cells. Advancement in the field includes enhanced attentiveness in the characterization of target and off-target effects employing suitable controls and gene expression microarrays. These will permit expansion in the measurement of single and multiple target combinations and also permit comprehensive efforts to understand mammalian cell process Read More

With the discovery of RNA interference technology, small-interfering RNA (siRNA) has emerged as new powerful tool for gene therapy because of its high targeting specificity and selectivity. However, one of the limitations to successful gene therapy is the inability to monitor delivery of genes and therapeutic responses at the targeted site. Hence, a combinatorial approach of gene therapy with molecular imaging has been cruc Read More