3.4.5 Drug Delivery Applications
The damaged or diseased tissues provide a platform for easy penetration and
mobility of numerous nanoproducts, as being different from normal physiology it
is easy to alter them for drug targeting (Vasir and Labhasetwar 2005). Many
nanomaterials are being devised as efficient drug carriers for brain related
abnormalities as they are found to modify distribution of cells and tissues, enhance
performance of drugs and curtails toxicity of drugs to a remarkable level (Kattan
et al. 1992; de Kozak et al. 2004; Feng et al. 2004). Nanotechnology has aloofed
obstructions for brain drugs to reach their target sites by crossing blood-brain
barriers, thus helping neurology to touch new achievements (Alyautdin et al.
1998; Garcia-Garcia et al. 2005).
Nanocoated capsules provide longer efficacy with longer residence time in
circulatory system so as to provide adequate dose at the target organ. Control-drug
release has also been successfully achieved by the incorporation of Nps in polymer
matrix. Intracellular abnormalities are effectively treated with the extravasation
nature of nano-sized drugs carriers (Allen 2004). Macrophages of liver and spleen
are successfully encountered with required drugs using nanotechnology, as they can
easily localize in reticuloendothelial system (Vasir et al. 2005).
3.4.6 Gene Delivery Applications
Nanotechnology is being utilized for treating genetically transferred diseases by
replacing the segments carrying defective genes with the repaired ones. Nps acting
as non-viral vectors for gene transplant provide a great alternate for the viral-vectors
that hold the risk of immunogenicity with complications of reversion of modelled
virus and effective pharmaceutical processing (Young et al. 2006). Plasmid DNA
has been successfully transported with the help of 50–500 nm sized Nps (Davis
1997). PLGA polymer coated Nps have been a choice for gene transfer because of
their biodegradable nature, biological congruence, continuous and prolonged release
and providing a resistant encapsulation to DNA against degradation inside
endolysosomes (Panyam and Labhasetwar 2012). Higher amount of DNA release
from the PLGA polymer Nps because of its higher molecular weight enables higher
rate of gene transfection in cases of breast cancer and prostate cancer (Prabha and
Labhasetwar 2004).
3.4.7 Body Imaging Technology
Nanotechnology has successfully captured the internal body happenings on the
screen as molecular disease imaging (Lin and Datar 2006). Biochemical reactions
carried out inside the human body are investigated by the incorporation of
nanoscience with the mimics of internal molecules such as proteins (Guccione
et al. 2004). Quantum dots are used for biomedical imaging because of their unique
3 Environmental Nanotechnology: Its Applications, Effects and Management
55
The damaged or diseased tissues provide a platform for easy penetration and
mobility of numerous nanoproducts, as being different from normal physiology it
is easy to alter them for drug targeting (Vasir and Labhasetwar 2005). Many
nanomaterials are being devised as efficient drug carriers for brain related
abnormalities as they are found to modify distribution of cells and tissues, enhance
performance of drugs and curtails toxicity of drugs to a remarkable level (Kattan
et al. 1992; de Kozak et al. 2004; Feng et al. 2004). Nanotechnology has aloofed
obstructions for brain drugs to reach their target sites by crossing blood-brain
barriers, thus helping neurology to touch new achievements (Alyautdin et al.
1998; Garcia-Garcia et al. 2005).
Nanocoated capsules provide longer efficacy with longer residence time in
circulatory system so as to provide adequate dose at the target organ. Control-drug
release has also been successfully achieved by the incorporation of Nps in polymer
matrix. Intracellular abnormalities are effectively treated with the extravasation
nature of nano-sized drugs carriers (Allen 2004). Macrophages of liver and spleen
are successfully encountered with required drugs using nanotechnology, as they can
easily localize in reticuloendothelial system (Vasir et al. 2005).
3.4.6 Gene Delivery Applications
Nanotechnology is being utilized for treating genetically transferred diseases by
replacing the segments carrying defective genes with the repaired ones. Nps acting
as non-viral vectors for gene transplant provide a great alternate for the viral-vectors
that hold the risk of immunogenicity with complications of reversion of modelled
virus and effective pharmaceutical processing (Young et al. 2006). Plasmid DNA
has been successfully transported with the help of 50–500 nm sized Nps (Davis
1997). PLGA polymer coated Nps have been a choice for gene transfer because of
their biodegradable nature, biological congruence, continuous and prolonged release
and providing a resistant encapsulation to DNA against degradation inside
endolysosomes (Panyam and Labhasetwar 2012). Higher amount of DNA release
from the PLGA polymer Nps because of its higher molecular weight enables higher
rate of gene transfection in cases of breast cancer and prostate cancer (Prabha and
Labhasetwar 2004).
3.4.7 Body Imaging Technology
Nanotechnology has successfully captured the internal body happenings on the
screen as molecular disease imaging (Lin and Datar 2006). Biochemical reactions
carried out inside the human body are investigated by the incorporation of
nanoscience with the mimics of internal molecules such as proteins (Guccione
et al. 2004). Quantum dots are used for biomedical imaging because of their unique
3 Environmental Nanotechnology: Its Applications, Effects and Management
55