Design, fabrication, characterization, and application of drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery

In the recent decades, polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have been recognized due to its unique favorable physicochemical properties such as structurally stable nanoscale size, large surface area, improved solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs, prolonged systemic circulation, sustained and/or controlled drug release, target delivery and combination therapy by delivering multiple therapeutic agents to the same cells. This chapter reviews the numerous methods available to fabricate delivery systems depending upon the physicochemical properties of active ingredients and the polymers. The ideal requirements for designing drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles are controlled particle size, zeta potential, solubility, and permeation, as well as prolonged circulation, desired release of therapeutically active agents in order to attain the target and specific activity at a predetermined rate and duration. Depending on the method of fabrication, the drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles could be designed to possess various properties and release characteristics for drug delivery. Upon the fabrication of the drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles, characterization techniques to determine particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, degradation, drug release kinetics, etc. are discussed. Finally, this chapter reviews recent developments, research investigations as well as clinical applications of the drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in optimizing therapeutic outcomes over the recent decades.