J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 2(Suppl. 1): S35, 2014
Special supplement with the abstract book of LATINFARMA 2013
Oral Communication
CO 058: NANOPARTICLES AS DRUG CARRIERS: CHARACTERISTICS AND PERSPECTIVES
Oropesa-Nuñez R1, Jáuregui-Haza U2.
Abstract
Nanoparticles can copy or modify biological processes because they propose solutions to the old problems associated with solubility, bioavailability, immunocompatibility and cytotoxicity of many traditional drugs. Carbon nanotubes are an example of nanoparticles and nanotechnology due to their small diameters. They can be manipulated chemically and physically. Besides, they are mainly used in nanomedicine as carriers and as excipients to obtain different drug delivery systems. In this work, the state of the art of the research on nanoparticles as drug carriers for medical applications, with emphasis on their properties, determination of physico-chemical properties and carbon nanotubes applications is analyzed. It is demonstrated that drug formulation and administration has been changed with the advances of nanotechnology. The application of nanoparticles in medicine includes their use as carriers through the functionalization or drug encapsulation. With the use of nanoformulations, an important amount of pharmaceuticals have improved their therapeutic action. The biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes have open a way to a new field in therapy and medical diagnosis. The main part of these applications might consist on the implant of nanotubes or functionalized nanotubes in patients. However, the use of carbon nanotubes in medicine depends on the evaluation of their toxicity in humans.