Abstract

NANOTECHNOLOGY DRIVEN DRUG DELIVERY APPROACHES FOR TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Sheetal Sharma*, Savita Kumari and Bhartendu Sharma

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, continues to pose a worldwide health problem, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively resistant to drug (XDR) strains. Inadequate the compliance of patients, long-term medication length, toxic effects of medicines, and inadequate bioavailability are among limitations of traditional TB therapies. Current developments in nanotechnology provide prospective answers to these issues by improving medication delivery, therapeutic effectiveness, and adverse effects. Various nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and niosomes, allow for targeted and prolonged drug release, higher bioavailability, and enhanced stability. These devices may encapsulate numerous medicines and are suitable for either pulmonary or oral delivery. Although its potential, nanotechnology-based TB medicines confront challenges such as large-scale manufacturing, approval by regulators, and long-term safety testing. Future initiatives include creating inhalable nanoformulations and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for site-specific medication delivery. Further research and innovation are required to move these novel systems from experimental to clinical use, particularly in resource-limited settings where tuberculosis is most common.

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Patient compliance, bioavailability, nanocarriers, Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NDDS).