Title: Nanopharmaceuticals I: nanocarrier systems in drug delivery

Authors: Yun-Seok Rhee, Heidi M. Mansour

Addresses: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Development Division, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA. ' Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Development Division, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA

Abstract: To achieve maximum pharmacological effects with minimum side effects of drugs, drugs should be delivered to target sites without significant distribution to non-target areas. Using pharmaceutical nanocarrier systems for drug delivery is a useful delivery platform for improving target specificity, therapeutic activity, and reducing toxicity of drugs. Various sophisticated nanocarrier systems have been developed for drug delivery, and this review focuses on liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, lipid nanoparticles, microemulsions, nanogels, and submicron lipid emulsions. This review outlines and explores nanocarrier systems for drug delivery by various administration routes including parenteral, oral, transdermal, pulmonary, ocular, and mucosal and discusses the product development and related issues in nanopharmaceutical drug delivery.

Keywords: liposomes; polymeric nanoparticles; polymeric micelles; lipid nanoparticles; microemulsions; nanogels; submicron lipid emulsions; nanopharmaceuticals; nanocarrier systems; drug delivery; nanotechnology; target specificity; therapeutic activity; toxicity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2011.037172

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2011 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.84 - 114

Published online: 30 Nov 2010 *

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