Title:Nanocrystal Based Drug Delivery System: Conventional and Current Scenario
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Author(s): Shreya Thakkar*, Viral Shah*, Manju Misra and Kiran Kalia
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad,India
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Ahmedabad,India
Keywords:
Bioavailability enhancement, drug targeting, nanocrystals, nanotoxicity, quantum dots, solubility enhancement.
Abstract: Background: Most of the chemical substances which emerge out as potential drug candidates
(Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) are either weak acids or weak bases. The poor aqueous
solubility of these drug substances is a common concern. Several R&D centers are focused on developing
suitable, economic, simpler and more feasible solubility enhancement techniques for increasing
the solubility and thereby bioavailability of such drug substances. Nanocrystals are one of the preferred
approaches for solubility enhancement in the last few decades.
Methods: Nanocrystal as a solubility enhancement approach is widely explored and discussed by many
researchers. Despite being the most simple and feasible technique, nanocrystal formulation has its own
limitations. The present review enlightens some novel technologies which can overcome disadvantages of
conventionally well-established bottom-up and top-down techniques used for nanocrystal formulation.
Results/Applications: The present review summarizes and also highlights the correlation between
some novel findings like reduction in the melting point of drug and nanocrystal formulation. The review
also includes a special section emphasizing on the patents granted in the field of nanocrystals.
The review includes more than ten patents focusing on several aspects of nanocrystal formulations as
manufacturing methods, formulation components and conventional and novel applications of nanocrystals
in new and hybrid forms. Aspects related to advantages of nanocrystals over other formulation
approaches, targeting (Active and Passive) through nanocrystal formulations and issues related to
nanotoxicity are also reviewed and discussed in the present article.
Conclusion: The findings, research outcomes and patents related to nanocrystal formulations, reported
in the present review confirm the potential of the stated system as a drug delivery tool. The review emphasizes
on the urge for further exploration required in the area of nanocrystal system for enhancing its
efficiency as a drug delivery and a diagnostic tool.
