Abstract
For the past few decades, there has been a considerable research interest in the area of drug delivery using particulate delivery systems as carriers for small and large molecules. Particulate systems like nanoparticles have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug molecules. They have been used in vivo to protect the drug entity in the systemic circulation, restrict access of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action. Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drug delivery research to increase therapeutic benefit, while minimizing side effects. Here, we review various aspects of nanoparticle formulation, characterization, effect of their characteristics and their applications in delivery of drug molecules and therapeutic genes. Keywords: nanoparticles, drug delivery, targeting, drug release > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 5 (1) 2006: pp. 561-573
Highlights
Nanoparticles are defined as particulate dispersions or solid particles with a size in the range of 10-1000nm
Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, those coated with hydrophilic polymer such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) known as long-circulating particles, have been used as potential drug delivery devices because of their ability to circulate for a prolonged period time target a particular organ, as carriers of DNA in gene therapy, and their ability to deliver proteins, peptides and genes 1-4
rapid expansion of critical solution (RESS) differs from the supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) process in that its solute is dissolved in a supercritical fluid and the solution is rapidly expanded through a small nozzle into a region lower pressure 21, the solvent power of supercritical fluids dramatically decreases and the solute eventually precipitates
Summary
Nanoparticles are defined as particulate dispersions or solid particles with a size in the range of 10-1000nm. Small particles size and large surface area readily result in limited drug loading and burst release These practical problems have to be overcome before nanoparticles can be used clinically or made commercially available. Nanoparticles have been prepared most frequency by three methods: (1) dispersion of preformed polymers; (2) polymerization of monomers; and (3) ionic gelation or coacervation of hydrophilic polymers Other methods such as supercritical fluid technology 8 and particle replication in non-wetting templates (PRINT) 9 have been described in the literature for production of nanoparticles. As the concentration of water miscible solvent increases, a decrease in the size of particle can be achieved Both solvent evaporation and solvent diffusion methods can be used for hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs. In the case of hydrophilic drug, a multiple w/o/w emulsion needs to be formed with the drug dissolved in the internal aqueous phase
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