Preface

The field of nanotechnology evolved as a discipline and is not a mere specialization. It requires multiple fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and pharmacy to be integrated. This book provides a quick review of the practical aspects of these diverse arenas. Advances in nanotechnology have increased the feasibility to tailor the functional modalities that assist in targeting selective biological barriers for drug delivery and other biomedical applications. This book provides knowledge to the students interested in nanotechnology research. This book paves a path between pharmacy and nanoscience while striking an equilibrium between approachability and depth.

All the editors of this book have research collaborations with various local and international universities in the field of nanoscience. They had supervised M. Phil and Ph.D. students in the field of nanoscience and pharmaceutical technology. They had published manuscripts on nanotechnology in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews and other prestigious journals.

Phoebe’s chapter discusses the role of the blood-brain barrier comprising of a highly selective semipermeable border of epithelial cells that shield the brain from substances that impede the transportation of drug delivery used to treat various neurological disorders. Bello et al. reported the molecular mechanisms underlying silver, gold, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Cerium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles’ therapeutic action in cancer, diabetes, bacterial, fungal, viral and inflammatory diseases. The mechanisms of anticancer activity of the nanoparticles ranging from ultra-structure disruption, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of DNA damage, inactivation of proteins that regulate signaling pathways, inhibition of migration and angiogenesis as well as induction of apoptosis are debated. Fahad et al. described the delivery of plant-derived nanoparticles comprised of nano-hydrogels, emulsions, and liposomes to targeted sites for disorders of voltage-gated channels. Zubair et al. explained the synthesis techniques pertaining to polymeric injectable hydrogels to reach safely to the targeted site. Abid et al. elucidated the antimicrobial drug-loaded polymeric nanofibers for wound dressing. The technology such as electrospinning and characterization of nanofibers for the drug release, shape, surface quality, ability to endure mechanical shocks, antimicrobial activity, and in vivo wound healing effectiveness are also discussed. Fazle et al. discussed the techniques regarding the synthesis, characterization, and biosafety of flavonoid-loaded polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, matrix systems, and micro-emulsions by ameliorating their pharmacological activity and reducing the side effects. Jawaria and Fahad et al., in the subsequent two chapters, had described the molecular mechanisms underlying the channelopathies caused by various genetic or acquired factors. Different neurological diseases such as migraine, epilepsy, small fiber neuropathy, paroxysmal pain disorder, dravet syndrome, and congenital insensitivity to pain are explained, and their gene therapy and editing are discussed.

The chapters of this book are written by scientists and researchers of specialized fields and overtly different scientific backgrounds, but everything boiled down to one common goal – Nanoscience. The tremendous consequence of the combined effort led to this book, “Nanotherapeutic strategies and new pharmaceuticals Part 2.”