Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airway obstruction, progressive airflow limitation, and increased oxidative stress. Conventional pharmaceutical therapies provide insufficient symptom alleviation and are associated with systemic adverse effects, neglecting the fundamental oxidative damage integral to COPD pathophysiology. Recent advancements in nanoparticles (NPs)-based drug delivery systems offer a promising alternative, integrating enhanced biocompatibility and bioavailability with extended drug release and reduced side effects. This review explored the potential of diverse NPs-based drug delivery, including poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs, chitosan NPs, cyclodextrins (CDs) NPs, albumin NPs, dendrimers, exosomes, liposomes, and solid lipid NPs (SLNs), in enhancing and enabling targeted pulmonary drug delivery. We also assessed various respiratory drug delivery systems, including nebulizers, pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), soft mist inhalers (SMIs), and digital inhalers (DIs). Additionally, we examined recent advances in nanomedicine for COPD, highlighting the intrinsic limitations of NPs use and considering prospects for improved clinical application. This study comprehensively analyzes the progress in NPs-based drug delivery for COPD, facilitating future therapeutic innovations. The graphical abstract illustrates the impact of smoking and pollution on structural and functional lung impairment, leading to COPD. It tackles the systemic adverse effects of contemporary medications, their inadequate influence on disease progression, and their high prices. NPs-based drug delivery systems circumvent the mucus barrier, enhance pulmonary deposition, restrict systemic distribution, improve efficacy, and minimize adverse effects. This approach emphasizes targeted therapy as an effective enhancement for COPD treatment. • Current COPD treatments have systemic side effects and fail to prevent disease development, underscoring the need for more effective therapies. • Nanotechnology offers improved selectivity, biocompatibility, and bioavailability, as well as extended drug release and reduced dosing frequency for drugs in COPD therapy. • Recent advancements in NPs-based carriers for pulmonary administration could improve pharmacokinetics, thus resulting in more efficacious treatment for COPD. • The integration of nanotechnology into COPD therapy may offer potential advantages. Nonetheless, additional study is required to ascertain safety, efficacy, and patient compliance.
Shah et al. (Thu,) studied this question.