Lymphatic System: A Path for Drug Delivery

Abstract

A Lymphatic system is a network like system being extended all over the body and useful targets for efficient drug delivery for drugs having poor oral bioavailability in the intestine and less absorbed into systemic circulation because of drug degradation in GI tract. Lymphatic targeting is not only to treat various infections not limited to pathological conditions like human immunodeficiency virus and other diseases but also used in diagnosis of tumours along with metastasis. Moreover, lymph nodes are the site for faster spread source to tumours via metastasis. Under these circumstances, there is a need for effective delivery of drugs towards and through lymphatic networks. Nano based systems and lipid based systems have unique features as necessary candidates for lymphatic delivery. The review provides information about different routes, drug transport in the lymphatic system, physicochemical properties which give impact on lymphatic delivery.