How is nanotechnology used in drug delivery?
The application of nanotechnology for drug delivery provides the potential for enhanced treatments with targeted delivery and fewer side effects. Nanotechnology drug delivery applications occur through the use of designed nanomaterials as well as forming delivery systems from nanoscale molecules such as liposomes.
Is nanomedicine being used today?
Many nanomedicines and nanodiagnostics are already FDA-approved and on the market, and many more are in clinical trials. Currently, the most active areas of nanomedical research and product development are in cancer treatments, imaging contrast agents, and biomarker detection.
Is nanotechnology used in medicine today?
These materials are produced on a nanoscale level and are safe to introduce into the body. Applications for nanotechnology in medicine include imaging, diagnosis, or the delivery of drugs that will help medical professionals treat various diseases.
Which nanoparticles can be used in targeted drug delivery?
Nanoparticles used in drug delivery system
- Chitosan. Chitosan exhibits muco-adhesive properties and can be used to act in the tight epithelial junctions.
- Alginate.
- Xanthan gum.
- Cellulose.
- Liposomes.
- Polymeric micelles.
- Dendrimers.
- Inorganic nanoparticles.
What is the future of nanomedicine?
In the future, nanotechnology may allow us to receive individualised therapeutic treatments. Newly developed nanomedicines include multi-component systems called theranostics that can, for example, incorporate both therapeutic and diagnostic molecules.
What is the future of nanotechnology?
In the future, nanotechnology could also enable objects to harvest energy from their environment. New nano-materials and concepts are currently being developed that show potential for producing energy from movement, light, variations in temperature, glucose and other sources with high conversion efficiency.
Why is graphene used for drug delivery?
The use of graphene in therapeutics delivery is based upon its particular properties. Its high surface-area to volume ratio, polyaromatic structure and the ease with which various forms can be functionalised offers capacity and flexibility for cargo loading, transport and targeting to tissues.
What is passive delivery?
In passive targeting, the drug’s success is directly related to circulation time. This is achieved by cloaking the nanoparticle with some sort of coating. Several substances can achieve this, with one of them being polyethylene glycol (PEG).