Application of Nanotechnology for Targeted Drug Delivery and Nontoxicity

Abstract

Nanotechnology has applications in various fields of medicine. The health and biomedical fields can apply nanotechnology to treatment and drug delivery, enabling the targeted and controlled delivery of drugs and therapeutic compounds. Normally, the body quickly metabolizes drugs upon their entry, potentially affecting their efficiency. Additionally, drugs are often unable to specifically target cells, leading to harmful effects on healthy cells. Nanotechnology is currently being used to address these issues. Nanoparticles, which are tiny particles made up of either synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers, have introduced targeted drug delivery by allowing accurate and regulated secretion of therapeutic agents at specific activity sites. Their efficiency depends on features such as size, shape, surface, charge, and loading techniques. By utilizing their distinct attributes, nanoparticles can overcome biological barriers, improving the bioavailability of drugs and decreasing systemic toxicity. However, excessive use of nanotechnology also raises concerns about its potential nanotoxicity. The interaction between biological systems and nanoparticles can lead to hazardous effects such as genotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotoxicity. Thus, it is important to examine the nanotoxicity of nanoparticles and develop various ways to diminish their toxic effects. This review aims to summarize the use of nanoparticles for drug delivery to specific sites, as well as their nanotoxicity.