Inorganic Nanocomposites—A New Paradigm in Drug Delivery

Abstract

Inorganic nanocomposites are nanosized inorganic material, which are intended for drug delivery and molecular diagnostics purposes. In last few decades, they have attracted more attention for their biomedical application. However, as drug delivery system, they provide significant advantage over traditional drug nanocarriers due to their ultra-high surface area and easy surface functionalization. Inorganic nanocomposites that are used for drug delivery purpose mainly include metal, metal oxides, metal oxide ceramics, non-oxide ceramics, silicates, nano-rods, inorganic fullerene, mesoporous silica, and semiconductor nanocrystal (quantum dots). In this chapter, an overview of these inorganic nanocomposites has been provided with a major emphasis on their utility for drug delivery. However, a detailed summary on drug delivery application of some of the selected inorganic nanocomposites like mesoporous silica, quantum dots, metal oxide, and metal oxide ceramics has also been included along with overview of synthesis strategies used for fabricating inorganic nanocomposites, in vitro–in vivo biocompatibility, and their potential uses in drug delivery and molecular diagnostics. This chapter also highlights significant achievement made by inorganic nanocomposites in targeted drug delivery to cancer cells.