Abstract

NANOPARTICLES IN DRUG DELIVERY: COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHTS INTO RECENT ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS

Sayali Rajole* and Kaveri M. Nannor

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Abstract

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a groundbreaking innovation in the field of medicine, offering significant advancements over traditional drug delivery methods. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in nanoparticle-based drug delivery, highlighting key types of nanoparticles such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, and carbon-based nanoparticles. The unique properties of these nanoparticles, including their size, surface characteristics, and ability to encapsulate a wide range of therapeutic agents, make them highly effective for targeted drug delivery. The mechanisms of drug delivery using nanoparticles are discussed in detail, with a focus on passive targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active targeting via ligand-receptor interactions, and stimuli-responsive release triggered by environmental changes. Recent innovations, such as hybrid and multifunctional nanoparticles, are also explored, emphasizing their potential to improve drug delivery efficacy and safety. The review highlights the development of biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles, which address some of the major challenges in nanoparticle-based drug delivery, such as toxicity and biocompatibility. Key findings from recent studies demonstrate that nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can significantly enhance the therapeutic index of drugs, reduce side effects, and provide more precise targeting of diseased tissues. For instance, in cancer therapy, nanoparticles have shown remarkable success in delivering chemotherapeutic agents directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissues, thus minimizing adverse effects. Similarly, advancements in crossing the blood-brain barrier have opened new avenues for treating neurological disorders. The implications of these advancements are profound, offering the potential for more effective treatments for a wide range of diseases, improved patient outcomes, and personalized medicine approaches. However, challenges such as stability, scalability, and regulatory hurdles remain. The review concludes with a discussion on future perspectives, emphasizing the need for continued research and development to overcome these challenges and fully realize the potential of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.

Keywords: Nanoparticle-based drug delivery, Targeted drug delivery, Liposomes, Biocompatibility, Hybrid nanoparticles, Cancer therapy, Blood-brain barrier.