Current Nanomedicine - Volume 8, Issue 3, 2018

Nanotechnology is the recent promising area which controls the matters at nanoscale level ranging from 1–100 nm, especially dealing with nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can be manufactured by using various approaches like physical, chemical approach which time is consuming, using of toxic chemicals and required lot of energy to synthesize. However, the biological method by using various biological organisms like bacteria, fungi and plant as nanofactories is very simple to handle, easily available and less toxic. These nanoparticles had a broad range of applications in various sectors of life, especially in the medical field. Present review gives some various biological resources which are environmental friendly for the production of nanoparticles and their potential application in various areas of life sector.

Background: Cancer nanotechnology has become a prime field of investigations for the scientists nowadays. There are several nanocarrier systems used for effective cancer therapeutics and gold nanoparticles (GNPs/AuNPs) have become promising vehicles for the delivery of anticancer drugs into their targets. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs/AuNPs) have been explored for tumor targeting, tumor imaging, and photothermal therapy of cancer due to their unique physicohemical and optical characteristics. Methods: We searched about recent research progress made in the field of gold nanoparticulate systems for effective elimination of cancer. Our main focus was on the use of gold nanoparticles (spherical), gold nanorods, and gold nanostars for improved cancer therapy. Results: Gold nanoparticles are suited well for cancer therapeutics due to their higher biocompatibility and lesser toxicity. They can be utilized actively or passively both for the targeting of tumor cells. Conclusion: Recently, gold nanoparticulates have been investigated preclinically for the treatment of cancer. Their clinical practice is still a challenge and it is necessary to carry out clinical practice of gold nanoparticles to make them available in the market. Future advancement in the field of gold nanoparticles will likely produce better results in cancer therapeutics.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has revolutionised the field of medicine by detecting the progress and staging of diseases particularly tumours which has proved quite helpful in cancer detection. Use of magnetic nanoparticles is involved in RF induced ablation, where hyperthermia might be vague coupled through MRI as nanoparticles of magnetic nature are targeted for imaging of the tumour cells. RF can also be transformed into heat to kill tumour cells. Nanoparticles of super paramagnetic iron oxides as suspension or fluid are to interact with the magnetic field to act as a contrast agent. The magnetic energy gets transformed into internal energy which is finally transformed into thermal energy through Brownian and Neel relaxation inside the nanoparticles. While carrying out Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), many challenges have been faced by medical professionals due to the presence of prosthetics and other types are being of implants like crowns, FPDs, etc. Artifacts provide a major resistance in the path of MRI and thus form distorted images and loss of useful information.

Now a days, nanotechnology has emerged as the promising area which controls the matters at the scale of nano ranges i.e. from 1–100 nm especially deals with nanoparticles. These nanoparticles might be formulated by applying a variety of approaches like physical, chemical as well as biological approach. The physical and chemical approach is time-consuming and uses toxic chemicals which require a lot of energy for synthesis. Nevertheless, the biological method uses a variety of biological organisms like bacteria, fungi and plant as nanofactories and is easily available, very easy to handle and least toxic. These particles have a wide range of applicability in a range of sectors of life especially in the field of medical sciences. Current review gives some idea of silver nanoparticles obtained through biological resources which are environmental friendly and their potential application in a variety of areas of life sector.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show different physical and chemical properties compared to their macroscale analogs. This is primarily due to their small size and, consequently, the exceptional surface area of these materials. Presently, advances in the synthesis, stabilization, and production of AgNPs have fostered a new generation of commercial products and intensified scientific investigation within the nanotechnology field. The use of AgNPs in commercial products is increasing and impacts on the human health are largely unknown. This article discusses AgNPs synthesis approaches, characterization, human safety and presents an overview of its general and antibacterial applications. Finally, we review the challenges associated with AgNPs synthesis, characterization and future prospects of AgNPs for the treatment and prevention of currently emerging infections.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have received significant interest worldwide particularly by the synthesis of metals in the nanometer region. Metallic nanoparticles have been extensively studied for treatment and diagnosis of cancer widely. Zinc (Zn) has been used from decades owing to its excellent compatibility in humans, physical and chemical properties. Zn has been reported to be used as Zn metal or modified as oxides, silanes or sulphide. The advent of coupled quantum dots has infused intensive application especially in the field of cancer diagnostics. The synthesis of Zn NPs has been confirmed chemically but recently novel green synthesis has been given considerable importance to synthesize Zn as ZnO, ZnS or other modified precipitates. Researchers have also witnessed synthesis of uniform Zn or modified Zn nanoparticles as metabolic precipitates of many microbes mainly fungi and algae such as Aspergillus and Sargassum. The medical application of Zn Nanoparticles has expanded horizons. It has been reported as absorbers for harmful sun ultra violet rays and hence being incorporated in sunscreen creams and lotions. The antibacterial and antifungal effect of ZnO NPs has also been captured by many scientists. The major aspiration of researchers has been to exemplar the use of Zn and modified Zn NPs as anticancer agents. It was envisaged that Zn and modified Zn NPs as nanoprobes or Quantum Dots (QDs) can be favored for treatment, targeting and diagnosis of lung, breast, skin and many other cancer or tumors. The present review encompasses multidimensional applications of zinc and its salts for treatment and diagnosis, citing some patents and its application.

Background: In recent years, nanotechnology-based biomedical platforms aid characteristic dimensions in the field of biomedicine as compared to the conventional strategies. This nanotechnological intervention carries widespread biomedical avenues in the diagnosis and treatment of an array of dreadful diseases. Objective: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have the inherent property of immense biological potential such as antimicrobial and anticancer activity. AgNPs also show tremendous optical and electrical properties suggesting its candidature as promising bio-sensing agent thereby promoting environmental and biological management. The use of AgNPs as contrast agents could be exploited for enhanced bio-imaging of cellular and sub-cellular organelles giving insight into the mechanism of action of the administered drugs. More importantly, functionalized AgNPs have been driven a new wave of innovation in developing targeted drug delivery and theranostics. In this article, we summarize the current status and progress of functionalized AgNPs-based nanoplatform for biomedical applications with an emphasis on sensing, molecular imaging, and theranostics. Main Text: The present review focuses on the importance of functionalized AgNPs towards enhanced biosensing, bio-imaging and theranostics applications as compared to the conventional modalities. It also clarifies the importance of functionalization to increase the efficacy of bio-sensing, bio-imaging and theranostic modalities. Future Perspectives: The present review not only emphasizes the biomedical importance of functionalized AgNPs but also scrutinizes its widespread avenues in the near future for the transformation into clinical translation.

Background: Terbinafine (TFH), an allylamine derivative, is the most effective antifungal agent. Objective: The present investigation was focused to formulate and optimize nanoemulsion of TFH and converting them as a suitable transdermal Terbinafine Nanoemulsion Gel (TFNG) to improve therapeutic efficacy, better dispersity, and storage stability in the treatment of fungal infection. Methods: The nanoemulsion was prepared by water titration method and characterized for droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), refractive index, drug content, viscosity, and morphology. The nanoemulsion formulation was incorporated into the gel for controlled release and evaluated for pH, drug content, and viscosity. Ex-vivo permeation study was conducted using human cadaver skin on TFNG and a marketed gel. Results: The formulation A1 showed the desired droplet size (133.0 ± 10.5 nm), PDI (0.174 ± 0.01), refractive index (1.334±0.05), drug content (99.12 ± 2.5 %) and viscosity (45.85 ± 4.60 cp). In ex-vivo permeation study, TFNG showed a significant (p<0.05) prolonged release of TFH. TFNG showed a significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans compared to marketed gel. Skin irritation study shows that the formulation is safe for dermatological use. No significant changes (p>0.05) were found in the values of pH, drug content and viscosity over the period of 3 months. Conclusion: In conclusion, TFNG was found to have great potential to serve as a transdermal preparation, excellent antifungal activity, and safe with better storage stability.