Present status of nanoparticle research for treatment of tuberculosis

Nanotechnology has offered enormous improvement in field of therapeutics by means of designing of drug delivery systems and opened the possibility of controlling infections at the molecular level. Nanocarriers can cross biological barriers and are able to target cellular reservoirs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Nanoparticle-based systems have significant potential for treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB). A variety of nanocarriers have been widely evaluated as potential drug delivery systems for various administration routes. Targeting the drugs to certain physiological sites such as the lymph nodes has emerged as a promising strategy in treating TB with improved drug bioavailability and reduction of the dosing frequency. Nanotechnology based rational targeting may improve therapeutic success by limiting adverse drug effects and requiring less frequent administration regimes, ultimately resulting in more patients compliance and thus attain higher adherence levels. The development of nanoparticle based aerosol vaccine is undergoing which could serve as new platform for immunization. Present article compiles the general physiological aspects of the infection along with the relevance nanocarriers used in prevention of tuberculosis.