The formalism of fractal aggregation phenomena of colloidal drug delivery systems

J Liposome Res. 2012 Mar;22(1):55-61. doi: 10.3109/08982104.2011.590142. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Abstract

Classical Newtonian Physics and Euclidean Geometry are currently used to describe biological phenomena and the processes of drug formulation, which are characterized by homogeneity and linearity. On the other hand, at the mesoscopic level, the principles and the laws of physics are quite different from the Classical Newtonian Physics and Euclidean approach especially at nanoscale dimension. The investigation of the aggregation process of liposomes is of paramount importance due to their applications in pharmaceutical nanotechnology as drug delivery systems and as membrane models, in biosciences. The physical stability and the aggregation process of colloidal systems as well as the surface phenomena are described using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The elucidation of the dimensionality of liposome aggregates obeys the fractal approach because the aggregation phenomena are irreversible. This approach can be correlated with the extended DLVO theory, which includes the hydration energy, too.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Colloids / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Colloids
  • Drug Carriers
  • Liposomes