Comprehensive review on polymeric and metal nanoparticles: possible therapeutic avenues

Abstract

The current scenario has seen many transformative changes in target-based drug delivery system. In this direction, encapsulation of medicines in nanoparticles has almost revolutionized the whole scenario where not only the effective, efficient, and precise delivery of drugs to the targeted tissues and cells is possible but also the adverse profile of drugs has also seen a decline. Nanotechnology and nanoscience have also spurred the target-based drug delivery for complicated illnesses including cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, antioxidants, microbial infections, and neurodegenerative complications. The major advantages of the technology involve enhanced permeation/retention and precise targeting of sensitive and delicate tissues including rectum, lung, rectum, or bladder which may enhance the local drug concentration avoiding targeting of other cells. The employment of nanotechnology to explore therapeutic avenues as well as their utilization as research tools in imaging, sensing and artificial implants have been further proven as the biggest assets. The new era includes nanoparticles of polymers (polysaccharides) and green synthesis which has shown multi-fold increase in the use of nanotechnology in the ever-emerging research era focused to target complicated illnesses. The present review describes the types of nanoparticles especially polymeric nanoparticles as well as metal-green synthesis approaches, their advantages, and the possible therapeutic prospects in several complicated pathologies.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Chitosan
• green synthesis
• metal nanoparticles
• nanoparticles
• polymeric nanoparticles

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Director/Principal, Government College of Pharmacy Rohru Shimla and Director, University institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Mohali Punjab for the support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).