Multifunctional nanosponges for the treatment of various diseases: A review

Recent advances in nanotechnology demonstrate the increased attention that is now being turned to the supramolecular assembly of simple components for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. This review contains detail about materials used in synthesis of nanosponges, different methods of preparation, characterization and applications. Targeted drug delivery to specific sites is the significant problem which is being faced by the medical researchers. The new developed colloidal system called nanosponge has potential to overcome these problems. Nanosponges are novel class of hypercross linked polymer based colloidal structures consisting of solid nanoparticles with colloidal sizes and nanosized cavities. They enhance stability, reduce side effects and modify drug release. The outer surface is typically porous, allowing sustain release of drug to specific sites, prevent drug and protein degradation. Nanosponges are small sponges with a size of about a virus, which can be filled with a wide variety of drugs. These tiny sponges can circulate around the body until they encounter the specific target site and stick on the surface and begin to release the drug in a controlled and predictable manner. Because the drug can be released at the specific target site instead of circulating throughout the body it will be more effective for a particular given dosage. To varying the portion of cross-linkers and polymers, the nanosponge particles can be made larger or smaller size. These particles are capable of carrying both lipophilic and hydrophilic substances and of improving the solubility of poorly water soluble molecules. It has various applications like enhancing bioavailability of drugs and delivery of drugs into oral, topical as well as parenteral routes.