Introduction to Nanoparticles and Nanocarriers

Abstract

This chapter outlines the introduction of nanoparticles and nanocarriers, within which it delineates their classification into various categories of polymeric nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, inorganic nanocarriers, dendrimers, vesicular carriers, micelles, and a lot more, their synthesis techniques such as physical, chemical and biological, and their application in the medical sector. The chapter also focuses on various challenges faced by these nanocarrier systems in nanomedicine as well as their advantages over conventional drug delivery. Overall, this chapter is a comprehensive compilation of available information on recent advances in the field of nanomedicine through an elucidation of nanoparticles and nanocarrier systems. During the last decade, surplus new nano-based strategies for improved drug delivery and nanocarriers centered therapeutic approaches have been adopted for oral drug delivery, pulmonary drug delivery, cutaneous drug delivery, drug delivery into the brain, for cardiovascular diseases, intracellular targeting, gene delivery, protein delivery, insulin delivery, anticancer targeting and many more. Currently, nanoparticle.integrated diagnosis and imaging have been in abundant use seeing an urgent need for early detection and diagnosis of various lethal diseases.

Unveiling the potential of photodynamic therapy with nanocarriers as a compelling therapeutic approach for skin cancer treatment: current explorations and insights

“…Liposomes are concentric phospholipid spheres with single (or multiple) bilayers made up of natural or synthetic lipids. 71,72 The cholesterol present in the liposomal structure increases the bilayer rigidity, hindering the encapsulated PS from permeating out. Furthermore, aer the liposomes reach systemic circulation, the lipid exchange between these nanocarriers and high-density lipids results in the disintegration of the liposomes which in turn causes a untimely release of PS in the circulation instead of the target tissue.…”