Nano-based drug delivery optimization for tuberculosis treatment: A review

Area of Science:

• Medical Nanotechnology
• Infectious Disease Research
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, posing a significant global health challenge.
• Conventional TB therapy involves long treatment durations and complex dosing schedules, leading to poor patient compliance and the rise of drug resistance.
• There is a critical need for innovative strategies to enhance TB treatment efficacy, shorten therapy duration, and improve patient adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of nanotechnology in diagnosing, treating, and preventing infectious diseases, with a focus on tuberculosis.
• To evaluate various nanocarrier systems as drug delivery platforms for TB treatment.
• To discuss the research outcomes and advantages of using nanotechnology in combating TB.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nanotechnology applications in infectious disease treatment.
• Analysis of the properties and advantages of different nanocarrier types for drug delivery.
• Discussion of research findings related to nanocarrier-based TB therapy.

Main Results:

• Nanoparticles offer significant advantages as drug carriers, including enhanced drug bioavailability, targeted delivery, and controlled release.
• Nanotechnology can improve the efficacy of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, enabling intracellular delivery.
• Nanocarriers facilitate reduced dosing frequency, potentially decreasing toxicity and improving patient adherence to TB treatment.

Conclusions:

• Nanotechnology presents a promising approach to overcome the challenges associated with conventional TB therapy, including drug resistance and poor compliance.
• Various nanocarrier systems show potential for effective drug delivery routes for TB treatment.
• Further research and development in nanomedicine are crucial for advancing TB diagnosis and treatment strategies.