Current progress and challenges of nanoparticle-based therapeutics in pain management

Abstract

Pain is a widespread and growing health problem worldwide that exerts a considerable social and economic impact on both patients and healthcare systems and, therefore, on society in general. Although current treatment modalities include a wide variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, due to the complexity of pain and individual differences in clinical response these options are not always effective in mitigating and relieving pain. In addition, some pain drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), local anesthetics and opioids show several unfavorable side effects. Therefore, current research advances in this medical field are based on the development of potential treatments to address many of the unmet needs and to overcome the existing limitations in pain management. Nanoparticle drug delivery systems present an exciting opportunity as alternative platforms to improve efficacy and safety of medications currently in use. Herein, we review a broad range of nanoparticle formulations (organic nanostructures and inorganic nanoparticles), which have been developed to encapsulate an array of painkillers, paying special attention to the key advantages that these systems offer, (compared to the use of the free drug), as well as to the more relevant results of preclinical studies in animal models. Additionally, we will briefly discuss the impact of some of these nanoformulations in clinical trials.

Piroxicam-Collagen-Based Sponges for Medical Applications

“…The water absorption tests were performed on collagen sponge half-cubes of 1 cm × 1 cm × 0 5 cm immersed in distilled water at 25°C. Water absorption was calculated at different periods of time using equation (1). Every test was performed in triplicate.…”

“…The current researches in medicine are based on the ongoing development of any potential cures for solving the needs of the patient; the main goal is to reduce and relieve the pain, the inflammation, and the sensation and to heighten the recovery process. All these aspects will contribute to the improvement of patient life quality; this is one of the main reasons for the use of a variety of medication in chronic and acute pain treatment [1,2].…”

Advances of Nano-Structured Extended-Release Local Anesthetics

“…Compared to macro-scaled drug delivery systems (DDSs), nano-scaled DDS is more compatible to nanostructured biological environment which facilitates its cellular penetration, better bioavailability, and longer retention time [4]. With advances of manufacture techniques, nano-scaled DDS have achieved prominent success in extended-release, which show improved loading efficiency, better biocompatibility (acceptable local inflammation such as myotoxicity and neurotoxicity), and biodegradability (similar degradation rate with depletion of loaded compounds and assuring fully wearing off) [7][8][9]. Furthermore, adjustable and differentiated release profile (flexible duration, modulated analgesic intensity, and controlled targeted release by specific modifications) is designed to meet different demands [7,8].…”

Tannic Acid Cross‐linked Polysaccharide‐Based Multifunctional Hemostatic Microparticles for the Regulation of Rapid Wound Healing

“…Due to their suitable adaptability to different types of irregular wounds, some products, such as HemCon, Celox, Arista AH, and Quikclot, had shown excellent hemostatic properties, and played an important role in surgery, battlefield and emergency . Therefore, microparticles had presented an exciting opportunity as an alternative platform to improve the efficacy and safety of medications . Many works have been done in our previous reports …”