NANO DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS – A REVIEW

Drug delivery is an interdisciplinary area of research that aims at making the administration of complex new drugs feasible, as well as adding critical value to the drug that are currently in the market. At present, one of the most attractive areas of research in drug delivery is the design of ‘Nano drug delivery systems’ that are able to deliver drugs to the right place, at appropriate time. In the present review article different nano carriers are explained (Nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanocrystals, nanoemulsion, dendrimers, polymeric micelles and nanotubes). Nanostructured drug carriers allow for the delivery of drugs not only small-molecule drugs but also the delivery of nucleic acids and proteins. Delivery of these molecules to specific areas within the body can be achieved, which will reduce systemic side effects and allow for more efficient use of the drug. These nano carriers are able to protect associated drug against degradation and facilitate its transport across critical and specific barriers. Some of them are further able to release the drug to the target in a controlled manner. The use of nanomaterials including peptide-based nanotubes to target the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and cell adhesion molecules like integrins, cadherins and selectins is a new approach to control disease progression.