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Review Article
Nanotechnology and
Drug Delivery
Part 1: Background
and Applications
Nelson A Ochekpe1*,
Patrick O Olorunfemi2 and Ndidi C Ngwuluka2
1Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and 2Department
of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos, PMB 2084,
Jos, Nigeria
*For correspondence:
E-mail:
ochekpen@yahoo.com
Tel: +234-(0)8037006372
Received: 4 Nov
2008
Revised accepted: 13 Jan 2009
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June
2009; 8(3):
265-274
Abstract
Nanotechnology
in general and as it relates to drug delivery in humans
has been reviewed in
a two-part article, the first part of which is this
paper. In this paper, nanotechnology in nature, history of nanotechnology
and methods of synthesis are discussed, while also
outlining its applications, benefits and risks.
Nanotechnology is an industrial revolution, based on
integration of disciplines that could change every facet
of human life.
Some examples
of changes brought about by reduction in particle sizes
to the physical, chemical and biological properties of
substances, compounds and drug products have been cited.
The benefits of nanotechnology are enormous and so these benefits should
be maximized while efforts are made to reduce the risks.
Keywords:
Nanotechnology, Nanobiotechnology, Nanostructures,
Nanomaterials, Nanocarriers, Drug delivery. |
