Nanoformulation: Challenges and Opportunities Quiz

Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials

• Nanotechnology is defined as research and technology development at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular scale, leading to the controlled creation and use of structures, devices, and systems with a length scale of approximately 1-100 nanometers.
• A nanomaterial is a natural, incidental, or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an agglomerate or aggregate, with one or more external dimensions in the size range of 1-100 nm.

Applications of Nanoformulation

• Nanoformulation can solve solubility issues, such as in Rapamune (sirolimus particles in nanocrystal colloidal dispersion) for organ rejection in renal transplant.
• It can improve stability and bioavailability, as in Sinerem (super-paramagnetic iron oxide coated nanoparticles) for the in-vivo characterization of lymph nodes.
• It can increase uptake by RES (reticuloendothelial system) using nanocapsules.

Polymeric Nanoparticles

• Polymeric nanoparticles have a nanoscale size, allowing for extravasation through the endothelium in inflammatory sites, epithelium, tumors, or penetration of microcapillaries.
• They have a large surface area relative to size, making them more reactive and increasing their interaction with the host environment.
• They can have a variety of shapes, including spheres, discs, hemispheres, cylinders, cones, tubes, and wires.
• Drug release from polymeric nanoparticles involves a rapid, initial release, or ‘burst effect’, mainly attributed to weakly bound or adsorbed drug to nanoparticles.

Cell Uptake Mechanisms of Nanoparticles

• Physicochemical methods, such as polymers synthesized in situ, synthetic and natural, and preformed polymers, can be used to prepare polymeric nanoparticles.
• Cell uptake mechanisms of nanoparticles involve a variety of methods, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolae-mediated endocytosis, and macropinocytosis.

Properties of Polymers

• Polymers can be hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or amphiphilic.
• They can be biocompatible for parenteral administration and biodegradable.
• Examples of synthetic polymers include poly(lactide), poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(epsilon-caprolactone), poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate), and poly(acrylate).
• Examples of natural polymers include chitosan, alginate, gelatin, and albumin.

Main Polymers and Stabilizers Used for Polymeric NPS

• Polymeric nanoparticles can be prepared using a variety of polymers and stabilizers, including PLA, PLGA, PCL, PICBA, PIHCA, PBCA, and Eudragit.
• Copolymers, such as PLA-PEG, PLGA-PEG, PCL-PEG, and Poly(HDCA-PEGCA), can also be used.
• Colloid stabilizers, such as Dextran, Poloxamer, Poly(vinyl alcohol), Polysorbate 20, and 80, can be used to prepare polymeric nanoparticles.