Preface

Chemically synthesized drugs have been one of the major tools in combating several diseases, including bacterial and viral infections. However, these drug molecules face several barriers, including poor cellular uptake and instability in the physiological environment that masks the therapeutic potential. In order to circumvent these issues, there arises a need to develop vehicles that could effectively and safely transport the drug molecules to the target sites. Nanotechnology has come up as one of the potent and viable strategies. Several candidates have been proposed, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, etc. These vectors can be modulated to achieve delivery, including drugs that are highly unstable and face difficulty in reaching sites. This book compilation brings together some of the eminent scientists working in different dimensions of nanotechnology. They have contributed chapters in their domain of knowledge that we believe would be highly useful not only for the young researchers but also for the experts looking for some exhaustive compilations.

Chapter 1 provides a detailed account of the application of lipid-based nanoparticles and nanostructures. This chapter also provides an overview of the recent literature on solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery applications. Background information on the origins, composition, characterization parameters, and biological applications of these nanocarrier systems has also been presented.

Chapter 2 provides an exhaustive account of the main route of preparation and applications of MSNs and silica nanomaterials. The chapter also provides insights into the chemistry, structure, and characterization of MSNs, followed by the synthetic strategies, and finally ends with a note on the application of MSNs.

Chapter 3 deals with hydrogels; they are defined as materials composed of water (hydro) and matrix (gel). The chapter discusses the role of polymer and peptide-based hydrogels, their multi-functionality, unique properties, and major uses. Hydrogels can serve as a major tool for human welfare in the future.

Chapter 4 talks about the application of metallic nanoparticles in drug delivery. Metallic nanoparticles have been used for treatment in some life-threatening diseases such as cancer. This chapter introduces gold and silver nanoparticles, nanoshells and nanocages, and their physicochemical properties. It illustrates some of the recent advances in the field of diagnostic imaging and cancer therapy.

Chapter 5 discusses the computational and experimental studies for the interaction of drugs with β-cyclodextrins. This chapter summarizes cyclodextrin’s applications in drug delivery research through experimental and computational findings. In addition, it presents the highlights of various techniques of inclusion complex formations, mechanism of delivery systems, and their analytical methods.

Chapter 6 outlines the clinical applications of nanotechnology in various areas, including cancer, CNS disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid, cardiac diseases, ocular drug delivery, and vaccines. This chapter overviews the current status of pharmacological and clinical studies of nanoparticles in the development process.

Chapter 7 illustrates the scale-up, preclinical, and clinical status of PLGA, along with its copolymers-based drug delivery systems. This chapter summarizes the extensive applications, laboratory, and industrial-scale methods for the production of PLGA nano/microparticles, preclinical, and clinical status PLGA-based drug delivery systems.