Nanoparticles are ultrafine particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm.
In drug delivery systems (NDDS), nanoparticles are engineered to enhance therapeutic outcomes by facilitating targeted delivery, crossing biological barriers, and accessing hard-to-reach disease sites.
Preparation Methods
Solvent Evaporation: Drug and polymer are dissolved in an organic solvent, emulsified in water, and the solvent evaporates to form nanoparticles.
Nano-precipitation: Drug and polymer in a solvent are added to a non-solvent, inducing nanoparticle formation.
Emulsion Polymerization: Monomers polymerize in the presence of surfactants and stabilizers to create nanoparticles.
High-Pressure Homogenization: A liquid dispersion of drug and polymer is passed through a homogenizer to produce nanoparticles.
Advantages
Improved Solubility: Enhances the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs.
Targeted Delivery: Directs drugs to specific tissues or cells, minimizing side effects.
Controlled Release: Sustains drug release over time, reducing dosing frequency.
Protection: Shields drugs from degradation in the body.
Improved Bioavailability: Increases the drug's active presence at the site of action.
Multifunctionality: Combines therapeutic and diagnostic agents for theranostics.
Disadvantages
Toxicity: Potential issues with toxicity due to size or material composition.
Manufacturing Scale-Up: Challenges in scaling production for commercial use.
Stability Issues: Aggregation or degradation during storage can impact performance.
Clearance by RES: Rapid clearance by the immune system may reduce efficacy.
Regulatory Challenges: Complex approval processes can delay market introduction.
High Cost: Production and validation are expensive compared to traditional formulations.
Applications
Targeted Drug Delivery: Precisely directs drugs to diseased cells or tissues for maximum efficacy.
Enhanced Solubility: Improves the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Controlled Release: Provides sustained therapeutic drug levels over extended periods.
Diagnostic Imaging: Metallic nanoparticles serve as contrast agents for MRI, CT, and optical imaging.
Combination Therapies: Enables co-delivery of multiple agents for conditions like cancer.
Gene Delivery: Delivers genetic material to cells for treating genetic disorders or modulating gene expression.
Nanoparticles represent a transformative advancement in drug delivery, offering unparalleled precision and versatility, though challenges in scalability, stability, and regulation remain areas of active research.