A Birds Eye View of Nanotechnology in Medicine
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Nano is a popular science with at least one characteristic dimension measured in nanometer. Nanotechnology is a dwarf technology in the creation of nano particles and devices at atomic, molecular and supramolecular level. These nanotechnological features in biomolecular field can provide the quick look of activities at cellular, subcellular and molecular level. The ever growing importance for nanotechnology is due to its unique enhanced magnetic, catalytic, optical, electrical and mechanical properties in comparison with classical formulation that has made a constructive approach in medicine [1]. These unique properties have guided to novel tissue substitutes and regeneration in bone, cartilage, vascular, neural, biosensors, diagnostic systems, drug delivery systems and protein mediated cell interaction. Moreover, researchers are in search for new nanomaterials for biomedical application. The field of nanomedicine has grown exponentially and has ventured beyond therapeutic activity enabling the detection of diseases much earlier than ever before. Clearly, nanosystems are having a broad spectrum of application disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Furthermore nanoscale technologies are capable of targeting cells, extracellular elements in the body for the drug delivery, genetic information, and diagnostic agents specifically for disease locations [2]. A sprouted concept of nanomedicine should have helping hands from physics, biochemistry, and biotechnology for the creation of molecular devices and for designing therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in nanoscale. The ultimate aim of the nanomedicine is the nanotechnological intervention of the medicine in diagnosis and curing of diseases related to cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, diabetes, inflammatory, Parkinson’s, orthopedic and thereby improving the quality of life. Moreover, the nanodelivery systems concentrate on specific target of deceased site thereby improving the efficacy and minimizing side effects. Using, researchers are making constant effort in pushing nanomedicine enabling the drug delivery to the target region; release the drug at a controlled rate and finally escaping from the degradation processes of the body without adversely affecting the internal systems. The major disadvantage with the conventional chemotherapeutic agents is the use of low molecular weight compounds with high pharmacokinetic volume which leads to high cytotoxicity. Hence high concentration of low molecular weight contributes to high toxicity which is risky. Additionally, when chemotherapeutic agents are administered alone, these lack specificity which may cause significant damage to the non-cancerous tissue contributing to side effects such as bone marrow suppression, hair loss and sloughing of gut epithelial cells [3]. These chemotherapeutic agents have low solubility and bioavailability and hence should be formulated with toxic solvents. Delivery of Cisplatin found to be ineffective in releasing the drug at the target after its accumulation at the tumour site [4]. Hence nanocarriers are currently used in the nanodrug formulation for cancer treatment which includes Doxil [5] and Abraxane [6]. Drug delivery field has experienced a dramatic increase due to development of liposomes, quantum dots, virosomes, polymer coated nanoparticles, nanosuspension and polymer therapeutics.
Authors and Affiliations
Shivakumar Anantharaman, Reena Rego, Thejaswini HS
Keywords
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- EP ID EP303455
- DOI 10.4172/2472-1921.100054
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