Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
09:03
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
16.8K
Nanomaterials in the Pharmaceuticals: Occurrence, Behaviour and Applications
Imran Uddin1, Siddarthan Venkatachalam, Arka Mukhopadhyay
1Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa. usmani.imran@gmail.com.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|January 19, 2016
Summary
Nanoparticles offer unique properties for advanced pharmaceutical applications, improving drug delivery and diagnostics. Their small size and large surface area enable direct cellular interaction for enhanced therapeutic and diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Nanoparticles are multi-functional materials with size-dependent properties, driving significant interest in nanotechnology.
- Their unique characteristics offer advantages over bulk materials in various technological sectors.
- Applications span drug delivery, biomedical engineering, therapeutics, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact, behavior, and applications of nanomaterials in the pharmaceutical industry.
- To explore the potential of nano-approaches in enhancing drug bioavailability and diagnostic capabilities.
- To understand nanoparticle interactions with cellular systems for biological applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on nanoparticles in pharmaceuticals.
- Analysis of nanoparticle properties, including size and surface area effects.
- Examination of biomacromolecule surface recognition mechanisms by nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles exhibit versatile properties due to their small size and large specific surface areas.
- They can interact directly with cellular systems, acting as artificial receptors.
- Nano-approaches are crucial for enhancing drug bioavailability and diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticles hold significant potential for revolutionizing diagnostics, therapies, and drug delivery systems.
- Understanding nanoparticle behavior is key to developing advanced pharmaceutical applications.
- Further research is expected to broaden the scope of nanoparticle-based treatments and diagnostics.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
215
Changes in polymorphic forms can significantly influence the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Although the FDA defines pharmaceutical equivalence based on having the same active ingredient, dosage form, and route of administration, it does not automatically disqualify products with different polymorphic forms. This means two products with different polymorphs can still be deemed pharmaceutically equivalent. However, polymorphic differences can affect properties like wettability,...
215
01:24Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
108
Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
108
01:28Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: Overview
5.0K
Understanding drugs, drug products, and their performance in pharmaceutical science is pivotal. Drugs, whether simple molecules or complex compounds, are designed to interact with the body's biological systems to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. Drug products include various delivery systems such as tablets, capsules, injections, and inhalers. The performance of these drug products is gauged by their ability to deliver the active ingredient to the desired site of action at the...
5.0K
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
76
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
76
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
308
Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
308
01:22Biopharmaceutical Factors Influencing Drug Product Design: Overview
429
Rational drug product design integrates knowledge of the drug’s physicochemical properties, formulation components, manufacturing techniques, and intended route of administration. Each factor influences the drug’s performance, including how it is released, absorbed, and eliminated in the body.The physicochemical properties of a drug—such as solubility, stability, and particle size—affect its compatibility with excipients and the choice of dosage form. Excipients, though...
429