Nanomaterials: An Introduction
9
silver complexes with thiol groups are located near-skin region, it gets readily available to get reduced either by visible or UV light into metallic nanosilver particles.
Therefore, the immobilization of silver nanoparticles takes place in the skin. Further,
the effect of nano copper-induced renal proximal tubule necrosis in kidneys has been
reported by Liao and Liu [106].
4.2 Nanomaterials for Therapy and Diagnostics
Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products facilitate improved absorption within the
human body and easy delivery, often in association with medical devices. For
example, magnetite, a metal oxide, has high potential applications in nanomedicine.
Nanoparticles can assist the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to specific cells,
i.e., cancer cells. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) have also proved its significance for
targeted drug delivery [107]. Nanoparticles improve the solubility of poorly watersoluble drugs, increase drug half-life, modify pharmacokinetics, improve bioavailability, diminish drug metabolism, assist controlled and targeted, and combined drug
delivery [98, 108–111]. According to the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) data, estimates of nearly 13.1 million deaths due to cancer by 2030.
It is evident that the low survival rate occurs not because of the scarcity of potent,
natural, or synthetic antitumor agents but owing to inadequate drug delivery systems.
Hence develops the requirement of technology advancement to establish carriers
and delivery systems capable of targeted and efficient delivery of the chemotherapeutic agents without unwanted systemic side effects [112]. The solid lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsions are the most employed lipid-based drug delivery particles.
However, nanosilver based commercial products are capturing the market. The newly
developed nanomaterials for theranostics are being employed alone or in association with “classical” drugs, e.g., cytostatic drugs, or antibiotics. Theranostics is a
combined term for nanomaterials with diagnostic and therapeutic properties [111].
5 Drawbacks of Nanotechnology
Nanomaterials are being employed in different industries and everyday life. Therefore, the interplay of nanomaterials and social surroundings is worth scientific exploration. Nanomaterials with several benefits can be toxic. Various studies also confer
the effects, as mentioned above, indicating the potential toxicological effects on the
human environment [98]. Different toxic and hazardous effects of nanotechnology
are briefly discussed below.
9
silver complexes with thiol groups are located near-skin region, it gets readily available to get reduced either by visible or UV light into metallic nanosilver particles.
Therefore, the immobilization of silver nanoparticles takes place in the skin. Further,
the effect of nano copper-induced renal proximal tubule necrosis in kidneys has been
reported by Liao and Liu [106].
4.2 Nanomaterials for Therapy and Diagnostics
Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products facilitate improved absorption within the
human body and easy delivery, often in association with medical devices. For
example, magnetite, a metal oxide, has high potential applications in nanomedicine.
Nanoparticles can assist the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to specific cells,
i.e., cancer cells. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) have also proved its significance for
targeted drug delivery [107]. Nanoparticles improve the solubility of poorly watersoluble drugs, increase drug half-life, modify pharmacokinetics, improve bioavailability, diminish drug metabolism, assist controlled and targeted, and combined drug
delivery [98, 108–111]. According to the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) data, estimates of nearly 13.1 million deaths due to cancer by 2030.
It is evident that the low survival rate occurs not because of the scarcity of potent,
natural, or synthetic antitumor agents but owing to inadequate drug delivery systems.
Hence develops the requirement of technology advancement to establish carriers
and delivery systems capable of targeted and efficient delivery of the chemotherapeutic agents without unwanted systemic side effects [112]. The solid lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsions are the most employed lipid-based drug delivery particles.
However, nanosilver based commercial products are capturing the market. The newly
developed nanomaterials for theranostics are being employed alone or in association with “classical” drugs, e.g., cytostatic drugs, or antibiotics. Theranostics is a
combined term for nanomaterials with diagnostic and therapeutic properties [111].
5 Drawbacks of Nanotechnology
Nanomaterials are being employed in different industries and everyday life. Therefore, the interplay of nanomaterials and social surroundings is worth scientific exploration. Nanomaterials with several benefits can be toxic. Various studies also confer
the effects, as mentioned above, indicating the potential toxicological effects on the
human environment [98]. Different toxic and hazardous effects of nanotechnology
are briefly discussed below.