Nanomedicine: The Effective Role of Nanomaterials in Healthcare from Diagnosis to Therapy

Abstract

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing medicine by enabling highly precise diagnostics, targeted therapies, and personalized healthcare solutions. This review explores the multifaceted applications of nanotechnology across medical fields such as oncology and infectious disease control. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), such as liposomes, polymeric carriers, and carbon-based nanomaterials, enhance drug solubility, protect therapeutic agents from degradation, and enable site-specific delivery, thereby reducing toxicity to healthy tissues. In diagnostics, nanosensors and contrast agents provide ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers, supporting early diagnosis and real-time monitoring. Nanotechnology also contributes to regenerative medicine, antimicrobial therapies, wearable devices, and theranostics, which integrate treatment and diagnosis into unified systems. Advanced innovations such as nanobots and smart nanosystems further extend these capabilities, enabling responsive drug delivery and minimally invasive interventions. Despite its immense potential, nanomedicine faces challenges, including biocompatibility, environmental safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory oversight. Addressing these issues is essential for clinical translation and public acceptance. In summary, nanotechnology offers transformative tools that are reshaping medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and disease prevention. Through continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration, it holds the potential to significantly enhance treatment outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and usher in a new era of precise and personalized medicine.

Keywords: drug delivery system; healthcare; nanobots; nanomedicine; nanozyme.

Figure 1

Nanotechnology applications in the medical field. CT: computed tomography, MRI: magnetic resonance imaging, PET: positron emission tomography, SPECT: single-photon emission tomography, US: ultrasound, and FI: fluorescence imaging [37].

Figure 2

Different types of nanoparticles used in the medical field [45].

Figure 3

(A) A graphical representation of the NAg-CCS transplanted into the defects of male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. (B) Possible mechanisms for NAg-accelerated cutaneous wound healing [53].

Figure 4

The diagram illustrates the five primary mechanisms by which NPs exhibit their antibacterial properties. (I) The NPs stick to and attach to the surface of the microbial cell, which in turn causes damage to the cell membrane and changes in its transport activity. (II) NPs infiltrate microbial cells and engage with intracellular biomolecules, thereby influencing the corresponding cellular machinery. (III) The presence of NPs induces the generation and amplification of ROS, resulting in cellular damage. (IV) The NPs manipulate the cellular signal pathway and induce cell death. (V) NPs effectively inhibit the movement of ions into and out of microbial cells [61].

Figure 5

Current trends of micro/nanorobotics in precision medicine [116].

Figure 6

Medical applications of nanozymes [120].