Pharmaceutical Applications of Nanodiamond

Nanodiamonds are nano-sized carbon based particles coming under the family of nanocarbons. Since nanodiamonds have ability to emit bright fluorescence, they were used primarily as biological imaging agents after the introduction of nitrogen defects. These are now widely used because of their inexpensive large-scale synthesis, small particle size, and high biocompatibility. Its large surface area, high absorption capacity and chemical inertness were made advantageous to use as potential medical agents. Nanodiamonds are carbon allotropes of approximately 2 to 8 nm in diameter. Surface of each nanodiamond possess functional groups for wide spectrum of compounds. Nanodiamonds have the acceptable properties includes hardness, chemical inertness, surface area, solubility, optical properties and allows chemical modification. Its large surface area provides space for loading of drug by adsorption. By this mechanism, it is easy to create smart environment-and stimuli-responsive nanodiamond drug delivery and release system. It can be also used for bioimaging, localised chemotherapeutic drug delivery, improving image resolution of MRI, insulin administration and used in Skin and dental care preparation and cosmetics. As nanodiamond drug delivery is an emerging and growing concept, it will gaining more attraction by industries and many research scientists due to its wide potential and acceptance.