Nanosponges – a completely new nano-horizon: pharmaceutical applications and recent advances

Abstract

In recent years, nanosponges (NS) have gained tremendous impetus in drug delivery through nanotechnology. Nanosponges are capable of providing solutions for several formulation related problems. Through this review, scientists working in the field of nanotechnology can have an insight into the techniques of preparation, characterization and applications of NS. Owing to their small size and porous nature they can bind poorly-soluble drugs within their matrix and improve their bioavailability. They can be crafted for targeting drugs to specific sites, prevent drug and protein degradation and prolong drug release in a controlled manner. This review attempts to elaborate different schemes of synthesis of NS and their characterization. Factors affecting drug loading and release have been enumerated. Due to their advantages, NS have not only been explored for their pharmaceutical applications but also have large popularity in allied sciences, especially in water purification.

Investigation of a new horizon antifungal activity with enhancing the antimicrobial efficacy of ciprofloxacin and its binary mixture via their encapsulation in nanoassemblies: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

“…The particle size analysis of the selected formulations revealed that the average particle size measured was ranging from 66.7 to 90.1 nm as seen in Table , which is in accordance with the documented size range (10–500 nm) of ideal effective cyclodextrin nanoporous drug delivery systems (Ahmed, Patil, & Zaheer, ). The PDI, which indicates the homogeneity of particles distribution in their system, was found to be in the range of 0.218 (C1) to 0.831 (CA5).…”

Ordered and disordered cyclodextrin nanosponges with diverse physicochemical properties

“…There are a number of different techniques and cross-linkers reported for the synthesis of NSPs according to their applications. 21 The intensive research on structural parameters of CD-NSPs including vibrational dynamics, sol-gel transitions, swelling phenomena and biodegradability is now well documented.…”

Design and formulation of a topical hydrogel integrating lemongrass-loaded nanosponges with an enhanced antifungal effect: in vitro/in vivo evaluation

“…In addition, their nanometric size increases their ability to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. [18][19][20] Nanosponges can also be incorporated in topical hydrogels, offering the advantage of reduced irritation, decreased adverse effects, and improved retention onto the skin compared with conventional topical delivery systems. 17,21 Therefore, nanosponges can be considered a promising futuristic platform for the delivery of oral and topical pharmaceuticals with the potential to improve the solubility of lipophilic drugs, enhance the stability of readily degradable compounds, and deliver actives in a controlled manner.…”