Nanoparticles Types, Classification, Characterization, Fabrication Methods and Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract

The most emerging branch in pharmaceutical sciences known as “Pharmaceutical nanotechnology” presents new tools, opportunities and scope, which are expected to have significant applications in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Recently nano-pharamceuticals reveal enormous potential in drug delivery as carrier for spatial and temporal delivery of bioactive and diagnostics. Additionally it also provides smart materials for tissue engineering. This discipline is now well-established for drug delivery, diagnostics, prognostic and treatment of diseases through its nanoengineered tools. Some nanotech based products and delivery systems are already in market. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology comprised of nano-sized products which can be transformed in numerous ways to improve their characteristics. Drugs that are transformed in to nano range offer some unique features which can lead to prolonged circulation, improved drug localization, enhanced drug efficacy etc. Various pharmaceutical nanotechnology based systems which can be termed as nanopharmaceuticals like polymeric nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, etc. have brought about revolutionary changes in drug delivery as well as the total medical service system. With the aid of nanopharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical nanotechnology could have a profound influence on disease prevention to provide better insights into the molecular basis of disease. However some recently found health risk evidences limits their utilization in pharmaceutical industry. Some concerning issues like safety, bioethical issues, toxicity hazards, physiological and pharmaceutical challenges get to be resolved by the scientists. Current researchers are still lacking sufficient data and guidelines regarding safe use of these nanotechnology based devices and materials. Therefore pharmaceutical nanotechnology is still in infancy. The present chapter summarizes the types of nanopharmaceuticals with the most important applications and nanoparticles associated health risk related information available till present.