NANOTECHNOLOGY: A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Chhaya Khemnar, Ajay Bhagwat, Abhijeet Holgir*, Shoaib Shaikh, Pratiksha Yadav, Swapnil Auti

Nanotechnology, often referred to as nanomedicine in the healthcare context, is among the most prevalent and commercially developed technologies aimed at improving the standards of modern healthcare. Despite certain limitations, many pharmaceutical and medical device companies have already adopted medical nanotechnology in their products. In particular, nanotechnology enables the targeted delivery of drugs with enhanced safety profiles, such as chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment, which traditionally carry a high risk of toxicity. It is important to note that living cells can be viewed as tiny molecular machines responsible for a multitude of biological processes, including cell signaling, metabolism, energy generation, and nutrient transport. Consequently, nanotechnology is regarded as a highly promising tool for therapeutic applications in biology and medicine. In this review, we discuss the significance of nanoscience and the various nanotechnology platforms currently being utilized in multiple areas of medicine. Additionally, we address future opportunities for the application of nanotechnology in improving human health. Over the past four decades, nanotechnology has advanced at a remarkable pace and continues to evolve without signs of slowing down.The application of nanotechnological innovations has revolutionized many aspects of daily life—from medical and pharmaceutical uses to their impact on the food industry. The effectiveness of certain treatments, such as anticancer therapies, has been improved, the intracellular delivery of hydrophobic drugs has been enhanced, and the shelf life of food products has been significantly extended through the use of nanoparticles. As a result, nanotechnology has profoundly influenced both the global economy and the overall quality of life worldwide. This review highlights the physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles that contribute to their desirable as well as potentially toxic biological effects. Furthermore, it explores their applications across different biological fields, focusing on nanoparticle-based drugs and delivery systems in biomedicine, including nano-based therapeutics currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]. The possible consequences of continuous exposure to nanoparticles resulting from the increased use of nanotechnology, along with potential mitigation strategies, are also discussed.