Nanoparticles: As Carriers for Drug Delivery System

The challenge of modern drug therapy is the optimization of the pharmacological action of drugs coupled with the reduction of their toxic side effects in vivo. On response is the use of colloidal drug carriers that can provide site specific or targeted drug delivery combined with optimal drug release profiles.^1,2 With the advent of nanotechnology, the prospects for using engineered nanomaterials with diameters of < 100 nm in industrial applications, medical imaging, disease diagnosis, drug delivery, cancer treatment, gene therapy and other areas have progressed rapidly. The potential for nanoparticles (NPs) in these areas is infinite, with novel applications constantly being explored. The possible toxic effects of these nanoparticles associated with human exposure are unknown. Many fine particles generally considered acquire unique surface properties, when engineered to nanosize and may exhibit toxic biological effects.^3,4 Nanoparticles and Nano formulations have already been applied as drug delivery system with great success. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have still greater potential for many applications, including anti- tumor therapy, gene therapy, and AIDS therapy, Radio therapy, in the delivery of proteins, antibiotics and vaccines and as vesicles to pass the blood brain barriers. Nanoparticles provides massive advantages regarding drug targeting, delivery and release with their additional potential to combine diagnosis and therapy, emerge as one of the major tools in nanomedicine.⁵ In this review article, highlight the possible toxic human health effects that can result from exposure to ultra fine particles (UFPs) generated by anthropogenic activities and their cardiopulmonary outcomes.