Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems: A mini review

Over the past three decades, there has been considerable research interest in the area of developing drug delivery using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers for small and large molecules.Targeting delivery of drugs to the diseased lesions is one of the most important aspects of drug delivery system.They have been used in vivo to protect the drug entity in the systemic circulation, to restrict access of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action.Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drug delivery research to increase their therapeutic benefit, while minimizing the side effects.Nanoparticles have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug molecules.The current review briefly mentions the methods of preparation of nanoparticles, their physicochemical characterization, targeted release and the applications in the delivery of drug/ gene/ protein molecules.