Dexamethasone (DEX) has been widely used to treat a variety of diseases, including
autoimmune diseases, allergies, ocular disorders, cancer, and, more recently, COVID-19.
However, DEX usage is often restricted in the clinic due to its poor water solubility.
When administered through a systemic route, it can elicit severe side effects, such as
hypertension, peptic ulcers, hyperglycemia, and hydro-electrolytic disorders. There is
currently much interest in developing efficient DEX-loaded nanoformulations that
ameliorate adverse disease effects inhibiting advancements in scientific research.
Various nanoparticles have been developed to selectively deliver drugs without
destroying healthy cells or organs in recent years. In the present review, we have
summarized some of the most attractive applications of DEX-loaded delivery systems,
including liposomes, polymers, hydrogels, nanofibers, silica, calcium phosphate, and
hydroxyapatite. This review provides our readers with a broad spectrum of nanomedicine
approaches to deliver DEX safely.
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