Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery: Physicochemistry and Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a gold standard biomaterial due to its bone-like composition.
• Physicochemical properties of HAP, including shape, size, and ionic substitution, can be modified through synthesis.
• The precise correlation between HAP's physicochemical properties and its biological response remains an area requiring further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP NPs).
• To characterize physicochemical properties influencing biological response and drug delivery capabilities.
• To emphasize the tailored properties of HAP NPs for specific biomolecule delivery.

Main Methods:

• Overview of HAP NP synthesis and characterization techniques.
• Analysis of spectroscopic and physical methods (FTIR, Raman, XRD, SEM, DLS, BET) for NP-cargo interactions.
• Compilation and discussion of studies on HAP NP interactions with proteins, peptides, drugs, and genetic material.

Main Results:

• HAP NP properties like shape, size, functional groups, morphology, and crystalline phase significantly impact biological response.
• Spectroscopic and physical techniques are crucial for understanding NP-cargo interactions.
• HAP NPs demonstrate potential as versatile drug delivery systems, with properties adaptable for specific biomolecules.

Conclusions:

• Tailoring HAP NP physicochemical properties is essential for optimizing biological interactions and drug delivery efficacy.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the structure-property-biological response relationships of HAP NPs.
• HAP NPs represent a promising platform for advanced biomedical applications, particularly in targeted drug delivery.