Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Medical, Veterinary, and Agricultural Active Ingredients

Abstract

Nanocarrier-based delivery systems can be used to increase the safety and efficacy of active ingredients in medical, veterinary, or agricultural applications, particularly when such ingredients are unstable, sparingly soluble, or cause off-target effects. In this review, we highlight the diversity of nanocarrier materials and their key advantages compared to free active ingredients. We discuss current trends based on peer-reviewed research articles, patent applications, clinical trials, and the nanocarrier formulations already approved by regulatory bodies. Although most nanocarriers have been engineered to combat cancer, the number of formulations developed for other purposes is growing rapidly, especially those for the treatment of infectious diseases and parasites affecting humans, livestock, and companion animals. The regulation and prohibition of many pesticides have also fueled research to develop targeted pesticide delivery systems based on nanocarriers, which maximize efficacy while minimizing the environmental impact of agrochemicals.

Keywords: agrochemical delivery; cancer; clinical trials; drug delivery; gene delivery; nanocarrier; nanomedicine; pest management; precision farming; veterinary medicine.

Figure 1.

Timeline and corresponding distribution of: (a) peer-reviewed publications involving nanoparticles in the medical, veterinary, and agricultural fields; (b) patent applications involving nanoparticles; (c) clinical trials using nanocarriers based on different materials; and (d) market approved nanocarrier formulations. See Methods section for more information on the data compilation and analysis.

Figure 2.

Size and structure of nanocarriers (approved and in development). Adeno-associated virus (AAV, PDB ID: 1LP3), Herpes simplex virus (HSV, PDB ID: 5ZAP), Tobacco mild green mosaic virus TMGMV (PDB ID: 1VTM), ferritin (PDB: 6BP7), bacteriophage Qβ (PDB ID: 5KIP), and Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV, PDB ID: 1NY7) were reconstructed using the UCSF Chimera software. The albumin, micelle, liposome, PLGA, chitosan polymer, mesoporous silica, and gold nanocarriers were rendered using Rhinoceros 3D v5.0. The carbon nanotube and dendrimer were drawn using ChemDraw software.