Classification of Nanostructured Drug Carriers from the Viewpoint of Their Colloidal-Chemical Nature

A classification of nanostructured drug delivery systems based on their colloidal chemical properties and chemical composition is proposed. Drug agent nanocarriers can be divided into six main groups: self-organizing (thermodynamically stable) surfactant nanostructures, thermodynamically unstable nanostructures with the participation of surfactants, polymer nanoparticles and nanostructures, inorganic nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles, and supramolecular structures. Based on the proposed classification, modern approaches to the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured systems for drug delivery are analyzed and their advantages, drawbacks, and application prospects are discussed.