Potential, Advantages, Methods of preparation of Nanoparticles

Potential uses of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems;

• ·         Creating fluorescent biological labels for important biological markers.
• ·         Drug delivery system
• ·         Gene delivery systems in gene therapy
• ·         For biological detection and diagnosis of disease causing organisms.
• ·         Protein detection
• ·         Isolation and purification of biological molecules and cells in research
• ·         DNA probing
• ·         Genetic and tissue engineering
• ·         Tumour detection
• ·         In MRI studies
• ·         In Pharmacokinetic studies

Advantages of nanoparticles over other conventional formulations :

Nanoparticles have many advantages over other conventional drug delivery systems. Certain properties like surface hydrophobicity and surface charge needs to be altered so as to increase the uptake of nanoparticles into cells which can be done by judiciously manipulating the use of polymers. Coating the nanoparticles with chitosan which is positively charged significantly enhances the uptake and modulates the drug efflux of anticancer agents. Moreover, attachment of poly (ethylene glycol) like moieties to the surface of nanoparticles increases the hydrophilicity and decrease the uptake by macrophages.

Methods of preparation of nanoparticles :

Nanoparticles can be prepared from a variety of materials such as proteins, polysaccharides and synthetic polymers. The following factors must be taken in consideration while preparation of the nanoparticles

(a) Size of nanoparticles.

(b) Inherent properties of the drug, aqueous solubility and stability.

(c) Surface characteristics such as charge and permeability.

(d) Degree of biodegradability, biocompatibility and toxicity.

(e) Desired drug release profile.

(f) Antigenicity of the final product.

Arranged by Div.