A Current Review on Transdermal Delivery of Protein and Peptides: Possibilities and Challenges

Abstract: Transdermal drug administration has become increasingly popular in pharmaceutical research due to its potential to enhance drug bioavailability, patient compliance, and therapeutic effectiveness. Transdermal administration of proteins and peptides has proven to be a viable method for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and patient adherence to biologic medications. Administering proteins and peptides through the gastrointestinal route exposes them to stomach acid and enzymes, causing denaturation and resulting in poor bioavailability. Moreover, to address these issues, various research groups are focusing on transdermal delivery systems as an alternative route of administration. Therefore, in this article, we tried to cover the recent developments in formulation strategies, transdermal delivery systems, and regulatory issues for protein and peptide medicines. The main approaches for peptide administration, including nanoparticle carriers, biophysical enhancement techniques, and microneedle-based devices, have been discussed to overcome the difficulties of delivering macromolecular medications through the skin barrier. Furthermore, we analyse the regulatory environment that oversees the creation and authorization of transdermal peptide and protein delivery systems, highlighting the significance of quality control, safety, and efficacy, while also focusing on clinical advancements and recent research findings.. This review attempts to offer insights delivery of peptides and proteins. This study focuses on transdermal methods, summarizing recent advancements in protein and peptide drug delivery. The transdermal route is favored over oral administration due to its numerous advantages, including non-invasiveness, high patient compliance, and avoidance of the first-pass effect. Consequently, it highlights the development of an efficient carrier system that demonstrates these benefits effectively.