Revolutionized drug delivery by using pulmonary nanotechnology: A review

Nanotechnology innovations have a positive impact on multidisciplinary health sectors, in particular, drug delivery. Variable nanocarriers were utilized in order to decrease systemic toxicity and enhance the delivery of drug particles to the targeted tissues. Systemic delivery of medicines through the pulmonary route of administration is still within limited boundaries. Delivering medicines loaded into nanoparticles through the pulmonary route for treating chronic and acute diseases such as diabetes, cancers, and even hormone therapy would be a novelty. Nanocarriers include lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, nano-emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, non-structured lipid carriers, and Multifarious inhaled Lipid-Based Nanocarriers. Promising results were obtained after delivering cytotoxic, hypoglycemic and anabolic agents. Although revolution in drug delivery and enhancements of drug efficacy are predicted, limitations and health hazards have to be taken into consideration. Physical stability, high loading capacity, good adhesion to the pulmonary wall are among the formulation supremacy. Also from a patient perspective, inhaled drugs carried by nanoparticles have minor side effects, faster response, more convenience to carry, and wide dosage intervals. Disadvantages range from expelling the minute particles which could result in delivering sub-effective doses to more serious health problems such as increased thrombosis activity.