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Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Current applications and prospects of nanoparticles for antifungal drug delivery
Sanam Nami1, Ali Aghebati-Maleki2, Leili Aghebati-Maleki3,4
1Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract:
Currently, the significance of fungi as human pathogens is not medically concealed in the world. Consequently, suitable recognition and treatment of such infections are of great importance and necessitate the need for comprehensive information in this regard. The introduction of new antifungals and their use today, especially in the last two decades, have revolutionized the treatment of fungal infections. On the other hand, increasing drug resistance in the world has overshadowed such developments. The use of NPs results in the treatment of fungal infections and owing to their specific properties, these particles, unlike the pure antibiotics, can exert a greater inhibitory power although with less concentration compared with conventional drugs. Important reasons that have led to the use of antifungal drugs in delivery systems include reduced drug efficacy, limited penetration through tissue, poor aqueous solubility, decreased bioavailability, and poor drug pharmacokinetics. It is therefore hoped that unfavorable properties of antifungal drugs be mitigated via their incorporation into different types of NPs. This review summarizes the different types of NPs as delivery systems of antifungal as well as their advantages over pure drugs.
Insights
Nanoparticles (NPs) offer enhanced antifungal treatment by improving drug delivery and overcoming resistance. These novel systems show greater inhibitory power at lower concentrations compared to conventional antifungal drugs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Nanotechnology in Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Fungal infections pose a significant global health challenge, requiring effective treatment strategies.
- Advances in antifungal drugs have been hampered by increasing antimicrobial resistance.
- Conventional antifungal drugs often suffer from poor efficacy, solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review various types of nanoparticles (NPs) utilized as delivery systems for antifungal agents.
- To highlight the advantages of NP-based antifungal delivery systems over pure antifungal drugs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating nanoparticles for antifungal drug delivery.
- Analysis of the properties and efficacy of different nanoparticle formulations.
- Comparison of NP-delivered antifungals with conventional drug administration.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles demonstrate potential in enhancing the efficacy of antifungal treatments.
- NPs can overcome limitations such as poor drug solubility, bioavailability, and tissue penetration.
- Antifungal agents encapsulated in NPs exhibit greater inhibitory power at reduced concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based delivery systems represent a promising approach to mitigate the challenges associated with conventional antifungal drugs.
- The unique properties of NPs offer improved therapeutic outcomes in managing fungal infections, especially in the context of drug resistance.
