Iontophoresis as an Effective Drug Delivery System in Dentistry: A Review

Abstract

Iontophoresis is a non-invasive method to improve drug delivery by the application of an electric field. The iontophoresis process causes deeper penetration of ions using electric current. The drug delivered through iontophoresis was found to be around 10 to 2,000 times more than conventional forms of delivery. The better results were shown by alternating current (AC) than conventional constant current (DC) iontophoresis. The preparation used in iontophoresis should be soluble in water, of a small voltage, and prone to ionization. More mobility is seen with smaller particles. Iontophoresis could increase the diffusion of drugs into dentin, enamel, and other oral tissues. The chief drugs delivered or studied by iontophoresis in dentistry are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local anesthetics, anti-bacterial drugs, and fluorides. To enhance the ability of drug transfer nanomaterials were introduced. Under the impact of iontophoresis, remineralizing nanomaterial can be injected at larger concentrations in the deeper layer of incipient caries. Due to the size of nanocomplexes, it is possible that they will diffuse into the body of the subsurface lesion and enter the porosities to improve remineralization utilizing the iontophoresis approach. The concept of the application of an electric current for drug delivery was introduced several years ago in clinical practice, research, and literature. This review focuses on iontophoresis application in dentistry, its mode of action, and how the technique can be utilized in a beneficial way.

Application of Hydrogels in the Device of Ophthalmic Iontophoresis: Theory, Developments and Perspectives

“…Electroosmosis is mainly in charge of the passage of ionic and neutral drugs. This mechanism helps to transport neutral and charged molecules along the bulk solvent flow generated by the electric field [32]. On the other hand, electroporation, also known as electro-permeabilization, seek to change the tissue barrier by increasing the intrinsic permeability (e.g., membrane porosity) and generating the permeability path under the influence of electric field (e.g., membrane pore charges and sizes).…”

“…During the process of electroporation, some aqueous channels are formed within the lipid bilayer of membrane. According to the size and duration of the applied electric field, the aqueous channels are endowed with transient, reversible, or irreversible features [32][33][34]. Iontophoretic drug delivery is generally considered safe and mild, as the potential gradient drives molecular transport across the membrane.…”

“…features [32][33][34]. Iontophoretic drug delivery is generally considered safe and mild, as the potential gradient drives molecular transport across the membrane.…”

Increasing Skeletal Muscle Mass in Mice by Non-Invasive Intramuscular Delivery of Myostatin Inhibitory Peptide by Iontophoresis

“…The skin burns caused by the high-voltage electricity are a problem in clinical application to the human body. Iontophoresis (ItP) is a non-invasive transdermal drug delivery technology that uses a weak electric current (0.3–0.5 mA/cm 2 ) [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Electro-repulsion and electro-osmosis are considered as the mechanisms of penetration enhancement by weak electricity.…”

Non-invasive Intradermal Delivery of Hyaluronic Acid <i>via</i> Iontophoresis

“…ItP relies on the use of weak electric current to facilitate penetration of charged molecules across the skin by electric repulsion and electroosmosis. 4) Molecular characteristics that are generally compat-ible with ItP include hydrophobic, ionic and small molecular weight molecules; however, we recently succeeded in the intradermal delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) (MW: 12000) 5) and antibodies (MW: 150000). 6) The mechanism of intradermal penetration of hydrophilic macromolecules by ItP was found to occur by weak electric current-induced cleavage of intercellular junctions, such as gap-junction and tight-junction, via activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways.…”