Nanoparticle- and Nanoporous-Membrane-Mediated Delivery of Therapeutics

Abstract

Pharmaceutical particulates and membranes possess promising prospects for delivering drugs and bioactive molecules with the potential to improve drug delivery strategies like sustained and controlled release. For example, inorganic-based nanoparticles such as silica-, titanium-, zirconia-, calcium-, and carbon-based nanomaterials with dimensions smaller than 100 nm have been extensively developed for biomedical applications. Furthermore, inorganic nanoparticles possess magnetic, optical, and electrical properties, which make them suitable for various therapeutic applications including targeting, diagnosis, and drug delivery. Their properties may also be tuned by controlling different parameters, e.g., particle size, shape, surface functionalization, and interactions among them. In a similar fashion, membranes have several functions which are useful in sensing, sorting, imaging, separating, and releasing bioactive or drug molecules. Engineered membranes have been developed for their usage in controlled drug delivery devices. The latest advancement in the technology is therefore made possible to regulate the physico-chemical properties of the membrane pores, which enables the control of drug delivery. The current review aims to highlight the role of both pharmaceutical particulates and membranes over the last fifteen years based on their preparation method, size, shape, surface functionalization, and drug delivery potential.

Keywords: bio-imaging; bioactive molecules; drug delivery systems; membranes; pharmaceutical particulates.

Figure 1

A model design of an inorganic nanoparticle (NP) functionalized with biomolecules for biomedical applications [6]. Reproduced with copyright permission from Springer Nature, 2010.

Figure 2

Structural overview of the article.

Figure 3

Receptor-mediated endocytosis of CNTs. (1) Association of ligand conjugated drug-loaded CNTs with receptor; (2) endosomal internalization of conjugates, (3) drug release, and (4,5) receptor regeneration [28]. Reproduced with copyright permission from Elsevier, 2016.

Figure 4

Tumor-localized DOX delivery with simultaneous photothermal ablation [29]. Reproduced with copyright permission from Elsevier, 2017. Legend: FA, folic acid; GO, graphic oxide; AuNPs, gold NPs.

Figure 5

TEM images of mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) material recorded from the direction (a) parallel or (b) perpendicular to the long axis of the meso-channels [45]. Reproduced with copyright permission from Elsevier, 2008.

Figure 6

NPs used to repair a bone fracture: in cases of bone fracture, nanomaterials have been implanted into the target area (adapted from [62]).

Figure 7

Scanning electron micrographs of L929 mouse fibroblasts growing on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-based network [73]. Reproduced with copyright permission from the American Chemical Society, 2004.

Figure 8

A semiconductor quantum and a quantum dot (QD) aqueous solution under UV light showing bright pink fluorescence. QDs are widely used in fluorescence imaging (adapted from [99]).

Figure 9

A single-walled carbon nanotube and an aqueous solution of SWNTs functionalized by PEG-SWNTs with highly optical properties, which are considered excellent platforms for biomedical imaging [99]. Reproduced with copyright permission from Springer Nature, 2010.

Figure 10

Key characteristics of porous membranes.

Figure 11

Polymeric membrane used for drug delivery system.

Figure 12

Classification of polymeric membranes for drug delivery.

Figure 13

Diagrammatic representation of membrane permeation-controlled system in which the drug reservoir is sandwiched between the membrane layers and the adhesive layers facing the skin’s surface (adapted from [134]).

Figure 14

Ocusert: (1) and (4) show transparent polymer membranes, (2) shows a titanium dioxide white ring, and (3) shows a pilocarpine core reservoir (adapted from [136]).

Figure 15

Progestasert IUD with structural components shown (adapted from [137]).

Figure 16

A polymer matrix diffusion-controlled system.

Figure 17

Nitro-Dur system (adapted from [140]).

Figure 18

Compudose implant.