Application of Nanoparticles in Medicine

Abstract

Nanomaterials due to their size (ranging from 0.1-100 nm, at least in one dimension) and higher ratio of surface area to volume display dominant quantum effects causing drastic changes in their chemical reactivity as well as optical, elastic, electrical and magnetic properties. The electrons due to their wave nature move very easily without scattering in nanomaterials and allow their use as biological sensors. Nano wires, semiconducting in nature, act as a versatile optoelectronic component in photodetectors sensitive to polarization and arrays with sub wavelength resolution. The wide applicability of nanomaterials in medicines emerge from the similarity in size of biomolecule moieties of metabolic processes occurring at nano levels. Optical properties of quantum dots allow their use as biomarkers subsequent to coating with a material able to bind selectively with certain biological structures like cancer cells by fluorescent absorption followed by emission of electrons known as functionalised quantum dots. Nanomaterials on combining with biomolecules develop ability to recognize sensitive diagnostic and regulated drug delivery processes with appreciably better performances and may be used as tissue substitutes. The properties produced in organic solvents make them hydrophobic and incompatible to biological molecules. At the same time, they may be converted into water soluble form and made biocompatible through different techniques like ligand exchange, encapsulation, polymer coating (with functional groups attached to the surface) providing reactive site for bio conjugation through different processes keeping limitations of the processes in view. Nanomaterials play prominent role in medicines as obviated by growing global market for them in the field expected to reach to USD 182.3 billion by 2027 at a compounded annual growth rate of 19.9% from 2021

Polymeric Nanoparticles (PNPs) as drug delivery systems for SARS-CoV-2

“…In a recent study, researchers aimed to develop a biodegradable drug delivery system that targets specific receptor-binding sites for controlled drug release. They used the commonly used PNP, PLGA, and loaded it with oseltamivir phosphate (OP), a well-known antiviral drug [73]. The PLGA nanoparticles were modified to bind specifically to spike binding peptide-1 (SBP1) of SARS-CoV-2.…”