Nanoparticles

The traditional formulations like solution, suspension or emulsion suffer from certain limitations like high dose and low bioavailability, first pass metabolism, intolerance, instability and also exhibit fluctuations in plasma drug levels and do not provide sustained effect, therefore, there is a need for some novel carriers which could attain ideal requirements of a drug delivery system. Nanoparticles delivery system has been proved nearly ideal one. Nanoparticles are, a type of colloidal drug carrier system comprising particles with diameter of nano-metric range. The rapid development of nanotechnology and nano-materials has led to a need for nanoparticle surface modification for a variety of applications. The surface can be tailored to specific physical, optical, electronic, chemical, and biomedical properties by coating a thin film of material on the surface of the nanoparticles. The coating or encapsulation of nanoparticles has been found to be of particular interest for the controlled release of drugs, genes and other bioactive agents. Controlled release systems provide the benefits of protection from rapid degradation, targeting delivery, control of the release rate and prolonged duration of bioactive agents. This article have a keen emphasize on the techniques used for the formulation of nanoparticles and their coating too along with associated cautions and significance related to special applications which reveals a better way to choose the suitable and efficacious technique to obtain a nano-sized formulation. It also reveals the need of regulatory framework for handling of nanoparticles.

  In ancient Greek ‘Nano’ means dwar. Nanotechnology is the creation and utilization of materials, devices, and systems through the control of matter on the nanometer-length scale, i.e. at the level of atoms, molecules, and supramolecular structures. These technologies have been applied to improve drug delivery and to overcome some of the problems of drug delivery for cancer treatment. The magic of nanoparticles mesmerize everyone because of their multifunctional character and they have given us hope for the recovery from this disease. Nanoparticles can be used to deliver hydrophilic drugs, hydrophobic drugs, proteins, vaccines, biological macromolecules, etc. They can be formulated by aptamer conjugation for targeted delivery to the lymphatic system, brain, arterial walls, lungs, liver, spleen, or made for long-term systemic circulation. Therefore, numerous protocols exist for synthesizing nanoparticles based on the type of drug used and the desired delivery route. In modern medicine technologies the oral administration of solid forms is the preferred route for drug delivery. Thus, in pharmaceutical applications, size, shape and morphology of the solid particles are important because they can affect the solubility as well as bioavailability of the drug particles.  

  Colloidal Drug Delivery system is an advancing technology expected to bring revolutionary changes in the field of pharma and health sciences including drug delivery, diagnostics and treatment. The advancement in colloidal drug delivery systems helps in preparing newer formulations which become useful for treatment of tuberculosis. Development of Metered dose inhaler (MDT) and Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) also proves to helpful in treatment of tuberculosis. Various colloidal drug delivery systems liposomes, niosomes, nanoparticles and microparticles proves to be a successful tool for tuberculosis treatment. One of the preparations like microemulsions results in theimprovement of bioavailability of the drugs. Similarly corticosteroids also found to be an interesting tool here because corticosteroids reduced the risk of pleural thickening in tuberculosis patients. These various colloidal drug delivery systems minimize the problems of conventional therapy like poor penetration, drug resistance, systemic toxicity and also main the improved drug delivery. This article describes the applications of various formulations along with their future aspects in treatment of tuberculosis.  

  Hydrogel nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in recent years as one of the most promising nanoparticulate drug delivery systems owing to their unique potentials via combining the characteristics of a hydrogel system with a nanoparticle. Therefore, it seems that the pharmacy world will benefit from the hydrophilicity, flexibility, versatility, high water absorptivity, and biocompatibility of these particles and all the advantages of the NPs, mainly long life span in circulation and the possibility of being actively or passively targeted to the desired bio-phase. Several polymeric hydrogel nanoparticulate systems have been prepared and characterized in recent years, based on both natural and synthetic polymers, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Several cross linking methods have been used in the way to form the hydrogel matrix structures. The remainder of this text presents various types of nanogels prepared and characterized, using a classification based on the type of polymeric materials used in preparation of the NPs.   Key words: Hydrogel, Nanoparticles, Hydrogel nanoparticles, Nanogels, Hydrogel.