Nanotechnology Based Drug Delivery at Cellular Level: a Review

Nanotechnology based drug delivery systems have potential to revolutionize theranostics. Efficient drug delivery and the favorable fate thereafter can be achieved by proper understanding of the interactions of nanomaterial with the biological environment, mechanisms of uptake, intravascular and intracellular trafficking, biological distribution, site specific delivery, controlled drug release and therapeutic action. Nano drug delivery systems have overcome the problems of drug resistance in target cells and have facilitated movement of drugs across barriers for efficient targeting of affected cells and the molecules involved in disease process. Most of these cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Besides, despite being scanty the issues related to metabolism and toxicity of nanoparticles after therapeutic action, need to be addressed so as to enable safe and effective treatment of diseases.