A Review on ZnO-based Targeted Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Abstract:: Cancer is the most malignant chronic disease worldwide, with a high mortality rate. It can be treated with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but these techniques have several side effects, limiting their therapeutic outcome and reducing application. Recently, a promising method of drug delivery has been devised to minimize side effects and induce potential benefits during treatment. The targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) is one of the established drug delivery methods using nanoparticles, crossing different biological barriers, targeting a specific diseased site, and resulting in sustained drug release. The current research introduces a plethora of nanoparticles that can be implemented to deliver or target drugs to a particular site, such as polymeric nanoparticles (PLGA, PLA, chitosan), metal-based nanoparticles (gold, iron oxide), carbon-based nanoparticles (CNTs, graphene), bio nanoparticles (liposomes, micelles) and ceramic nanoparticles (mesoporous-based silica, calcium phosphate). Most of them are proven to be very efficient in targeting the desired site and causing fatal damage to the tumor cells. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a nano compound, that shows a wide range of favorable properties, making it widely acceptable for biomedical applications. This review focuses on TDDS using ZnO as a drug carrier, followed by factors affecting TDDS such as drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, cell viability, and zeta potential. The target mechanism of TDDS for cancer therapy has also been discussed, indicating a better alternative for clinical treatment. This approach also presents certain challenges besides the potential for oncology.

Advances in Precision Medicine Approaches for Colorectal Cancer: From Molecular Profiling to Targeted Therapies

“…Issues such as scalability, reproducibility, and the potential for immune responses to the delivery vehicles need to be addressed for these systems to transition from research laboratories to routine clinical practice. Moreover, optimizing the design of delivery systems to accommodate the dynamic changes within the tumor microenvironment is crucial for long-term efficacy …”

Advancements in the Synthesis and Functionalization of Zinc Oxide-Based Nanomaterials for Enhanced Oral Cancer Therapy

“…While ZnO-based nanomaterials hold great promise for targeted oral cancer therapy, several challenges need to be addressed to realize their full potential. Additionally, exploring future perspectives and research directions is essential for advancing the development and clinical translation of ZnO-based nanotherapeutics [ 11 ]. Biocompatibility and Toxicity: Despite their biocompatibility in many preclinical studies, there are still concerns regarding the long-term biocompatibility and potential toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles, particularly upon systemic administration.…”

“…Despite the significant progress made in the field of ZnO-based nanomaterials for oral cancer applications, several challenges still need to be addressed. These include optimizing synthesis methodologies to improve reproducibility and scalability, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of ZnO nanoparticles, and addressing concerns regarding their long-term biocompatibility and safety [ 11 ]. Additionally, the development of robust preclinical models that accurately recapitulate the complex tumor microenvironment of oral cancer is essential for evaluating the efficacy and safety of ZnO nanomaterials in vivo [ 12 ].…”

ZnO based 0–3D diverse nano-architectures, films and coatings for biomedical applications

“…For example, several recent published reviews are focused on green synthesis of ZnO materials and biomedical applications 38–44 with major emphasis on the eco-friendly approach of the green synthesis route. Several reviews are focused on some particular biomedical applications such as antibacterial, 45–48 wound healing, 49 cancer therapy, 40,48 drug delivery, 50 bioimaging, 47,51 etc . Some reviews are focused on ZnO/polymer nanocomposites and their biomedical applications.…”