(N/A) Orally active protein pharmaceuticals involve the use of biologically active materials such as peptides,proteins,antibodies,or polymeric beads.
These are administered orally using specialized delivery systems like encapsulation in liposomes or the use of penetration enhancers to improve absorption.
The major problem encountered with oral administration is the degradation of these proteins by digestive enzymes.
Once ingested,the proteases present in the stomach and intestinal juices denature the protein structure,rendering them biologically inactive.
Therefore,to be effective,these therapeutic proteins must be protected from the harsh digestive environment,which is why many are currently administered via injection directly into the bloodstream or target tissues.