The Bombay Technologist

Targeted Drug Delivery Using Magnetic Nanoparticles:A Review

Rahul Lalge

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology

Sneha Rathi

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology

Keywords: Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs), Controlled Drug Release, Drug Wastage, Tumor Hypoxia, Coreshell, Magnetic Drug Targeting, Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs).

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Abstract

Continuing improvement in the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of drugs is the driving force of the revolution in novel drug delivery systems. Amongst the plethora of avenues explored for the new ways of targeted drug delivery, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) grabbed foremost attention offering local drug delivery, reduced toxic reactions and controlled drug release for prolonged period of time addressing problems of healthy tissue damage and drug wastage. Due to their unique purposes, magnetic nano-particles have been of great interest. An attempt is made herein to review the concept of MNPs, their advantages, methods of preparation, characterization, applications in drug delivery. Usage of MNPs depends largely on the preparation process to select optimal conditions and election of agents to modify their surface. This review deals with use of MNPs in Tumor hypoxia or tumors in low oxygen concentration as well as magnetic drug targeting using coreshell magnetic carrier nano-particles (Iron and Gold nano-particles) loaded with anti-cancer drugs. This review deals with the disadvantages of MNPs and how they can be overcome. It focuses on exemplifying different drug formulations formulated into MNPs. Future prospective, challenges in drug delivery and scope of MNPs are briefly discussed.