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Applications of Nanopharmaceuticals in Delivery and Targeting

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Nanopharmaceuticals: Principles and Applications Vol. 1

Part of the book series: Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World ((ECSW,volume 46))

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Abstract

Nanotechnology became a widespread technology in recent years in several medical and pharmaceutical applications. Drug-delivery systems based on nanoparticle technologies have the prospective industrial revolution that could be considered as a landmark of future pharmaceutical industries. The major goals in designing nanoparticles as a delivery system include enhancing bioavailability by enhancing solubility and dissolution rate, targeting the drug to specific organs, and controlling drug release rate. Some other nanoparticles illustrate vast promise in the field of tumor imaging and the early identification of malignant tissue such as fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles. The chapter discusses different classes of pharmaceutical nanoparticles including nanonized drug (API) particles, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, and hydrophobic nanoparticles. The nanonized drug (API) particles are mostly applied for enhancing drug solubility and dissolution rate, which, in turn, can improve its bioavailability. These nanosized drugs (API) particles are prepared by either top-down or bottom-up techniques. In addition, the chapter also spots the light on variable polymer classes utilized in polymeric nanoparticles, including hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and biodegradable polymers. Furthermore, different manufacturing techniques adopted for the production of polymeric nanoparticles based on the type of the polymers were described. Also, the nanonization techniques of the polymeric nanoparticles are based on physical methods including primary and multiple emulsion solvent evaporation methods, ionic gelation, spray-drying, supercritical fluid technology, as well as precipitation with a compressed fluid techniques anti-solvent were clarified. Other polymeric nanoparticle manufacturing techniques are based on chemical synthesis schemes such as silica nanoparticles of variable internal structures. Furthermore, the polymeric nanoparticles as targeting system are not only for healthy cells but also diseased cells. The applications of nanoparticles in drug delivery and targeting, focusing the conventional and recent methods of preparation, were briefly specified. At the end of this chapter, final remarks and recommendations on the optimal methods of manufacturing techniques are suggested.

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Correspondence to Ahmed A. H. Abdellatif .

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Ibrahim, M.A., Abdellatif, A.A.H. (2021). Applications of Nanopharmaceuticals in Delivery and Targeting. In: Yata, V., Ranjan, S., Dasgupta, N., Lichtfouse, E. (eds) Nanopharmaceuticals: Principles and Applications Vol. 1. Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World, vol 46. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44925-4_2

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