Potentials and emerging trends in nanopharmacology

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2014 Apr:15:97-106. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.01.006. Epub 2014 Mar 2.

Abstract

Nanopharmacology is a relatively newer branch of pharmacology which investigates interaction of a nanomedicine with living systems at the nanoscale level. Modern medicine is increasingly concerned with various surface modified nanocarriers, such as dendrimers, nanoparticles, carbon based nanomaterials, polymer-drug nanoconjugates, etc., which have immense therapeutic potential by target specific drug delivery, using nanoscaffolding and nanocontainers, owing to the specific physical, chemical and biological properties of these moieties that is related to their nanoscale size range. Nanopharmacology could have potential medical and pharmaceutical benefits via applications of nanotechnology in the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Nanomaterials may be expected to find application in the cardiovascular, as well as, renal arena, in the near future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Pharmacology / methods*