NANOPARTICLES-TREMENDOUS THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL:A REVIEW

ABSTRACT: The last few decades have hosted a revolution in materials science. In many cases, it is now possible to manipulate atoms and molecules within materials one at a time and, therefore, to construct materials with nanometer-scale precision. This new capability in materials science is called nanotechnology. The potential intersection between nanotechnology and the biological sciences is vast. Biological function depends heavily on units that have nanoscale dimensions, such as viruses, ribosomes, molecular motors and components of the extra cellular matrix. In addition, engineered devices at the nanoscale are small enough to interact directly with sub-cellular compartments and to probe intracellular events. 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. The ability to assemble and study materials with nanoscale precision leads to opportunities in both basi