Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 6.1
Nanoparticulate Drug Carriers
Nanoparticulate System
Therapeutic Agents
Remarks
Advantages
Limitations
Polymeric nanoparticles
Plasmid DNA, protein,
peptides, low-molecular
weight compounds
Brain tumor therapy
Sustain localized drug
therapeutic agent for weeks
Some polymers exhibit cytotoxicity
Liposomes
Proteins, DNA, anticancer
therapeutic agents
Tumor therapy, HIV therapy,
vaccine delivery
Effective in reducing system
toxicity and can stay longer
in targeted tissue
Limited stability
Cationic solid lipid
nanoparticles
DNA, proteins, anticancer
therapeutic agent
Efi ciently bind and transfect
plasmid DNA
More stable than liposomes
Limited stability
Metal nanoparticles
Anticancer therapeutic
agents, proteins, DNA
Cancer therapy
Extremely small in size with
vast surface area to carry
large dose
Polymeric micelles
DNA, anticancer therapeutic
agents, proteins
Solid tumor therapy, antifungal
treatment
Have hydrophobic core and
are suitable carrier for
water-insoluble drugs
Limited loading of hydrophilic
drugs
Ceramic nanoparticles
Proteins, DNA, anticancer
therapeutic agents, high-
molecular weight
compounds
Photodynamic therapy, liver
therapy, diabetes therapy
Ease of preparation
Stable in biological
environment
Safety of inorganic compounds
Dendrimers
DNA, anticancer therapeutic
agents, antibacterial
therapeutic agents, antiviral
therapeutic agents, high-
molecular weight
compounds
Tumor therapy, bacterial
infection treatment, HIV
therapy
Ease of modii cation at
multiple termini
Polymer dependent
biocompatibility, biodistribution
Source
:
Rawat, M., Singh, D., Saraf, S., and Saraf, S.,
Biol Pharm Bull
29, 1790-1798, 2006; Yih, T.C. and Al-Fandi, M.,
J. Cell. Biochem.
, 97, 1184-1190, 2006.
