title: The formalism of fractal aggregation phenomena of colloidal drug delivery systems.
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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Panestimiopolis Zografou 15771, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Natassa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pippa
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demetzos
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Danezis
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes