PHYSIOLOGICALLY BASED PHARMACOKINETIC MODELLING: REVOLUTIONISING DRUG DISCOVERY AND PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES
R. S. Nikam, V. N. Garge, Dr. V. J. Kadam
BharatiVidyapeeth’s College of Pharmacy, C.B.D. Belapur, Navi Mumbai.
Abstract
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are the mathematical expressions that predict the drug disposition based upon its physicochemical, physiological and biochemical properties. This review article discusses the principles and applications of the PBPK model.Designing the model for a particular drug and tissue/ organ/ full body is a systematic process which takes into consideration the physicochemical and biochemical properties of the drug, the species involved in the study, route of drug administration and parameters that need to be included in the model is decided. Steps involved in modelling are designing model according to its application, setting mathematical equations and validation of model. Accuracy of PBPK model depends upon extent of detailing incorporated in model designing and hence upon its closeness to real physiology. Considering involvement of tremendous amount of data and complexity of models, software such as Gastroplus, PK-Sim, MATLAB, PKQuest etc. are used. PBPK models have great scope for use in the area of Drug Discovery. They can precisely predict the pharmacokinetics of a particular drug for a particular model. Hence they are useful in the drug discovery process, for making the personalised medicines, for prediction of the possible toxicity and carcinogenicity of a particular environmental xenobiotics. But use is limited because of large amount of data is needed to be processed and expert personal are required to design such complex models.