Chapter 2 - Nanomaterials: Synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and biopharmaceutical applications

Abstract

Nano-pharma deals with the synthesis, characterization, and applications of NPs and nanomaterials in the pharmaceutical industry. The size of the drug or therapeutic molecules ranges from 1 to 100nm and could be in micrometers. Nanotechnology has the potential ability to identify the disease like cancer cells where they have resided in an organ. Metallic nanoparticles Met-NPs such as gold, FeO, and quantum dots play an important role in diagnostic applications and some NPs have the capacity of simultaneously diagnosing and treating the affected cells. In the drug formulation, there are a few nanomaterials such as liposome and nanocrystals that are used in cancer drug formulations for the better efficiency of the drugs. AgNPs attract biologists to their iconic antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and anticancer properties in the pharmaceutical industry so that they can extend their novel applications to all other domains. They act as a potential wound dressing because of their antibacterial properties. Nanosilver is used as a coating agent on medical devices and instruments in medical surgery. Nanosilver incorporated into the cotton fibers is used to fabricate the odor-free clothes in the textile industry. There is more evidence available for antiinflammatory properties of AgNPs to improve wound healing properties. Silver sulfadiazine is used as a topical application for burn wounds. One of the best properties of nano silver is toxic to the bacteria which are less or nontoxic to humans at a lower concentration. This chapter narrates the concept of nanomaterials and their applications in the pharmaceutical industry. In this chapter, the synthesis of nanoparticles from Erythrina indica and Capparis zeylanica aqueous leaf extract using solution of AgNO3 is discussed. The phytochemical constituents of various parts of the plants and their medicinal applications are also explained in this chapter. The characterization of green synthesized silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) is established systematically in this chapter using various analyses. Antimicrobial properties of AgNPs and their sustained drug releasing properties are also discussed meticulously and scientifically for pharmaceutical industrial applications.