Nanomedicine

About: Nanomedicine is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4287 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200647 citations.

Emerging trends of nanomedicine--an overview.

Abstract: Nanotechnology is an emerging branch of science for designing tools and devices of size 1 to 100 nm with unique function at the cellular, atomic and molecular levels. The concept of using nanotechnology in medical research and clinical practice is known as nanomedicine. Nanoparticles possess some novel properties not seen with the macro molecules and they can be manipulated by attaching therapeutic components to help in diagnosis and treatment. They can also be used to probe cellular movements and molecular changes associated with pathological states. Nanodevices like carbon nanotubes to locate and deliver anticancer drugs at the specific tumour site are under research. Nanotechnology promises construction of artificial cells, enzymes and genes. This will help in the replacement therapy of many disorders which are due to deficiency of enzymes, mutation of genes or any repair in the synthesis of proteins. Currently nanodevices like respirocytes, microbivores and probes encapsulated by biologically localized embedding have a greater application in treatment of anaemia and infections. Thus in the present scenario, nanotechnology is spreading its wings to address the key problems in the field of medicine. Hence this review discusses in detail the applications of nanotechnology in medicine with more emphasis on drug delivery and therapy.

Gold-Nanosponge-Based Multistimuli-Responsive Drug Vehicles for Targeted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy.

Abstract: Gold-nanosponge-based multistimuli-responsive drug vehicles are constructed for combined chemo-photothermal therapy with pinpointed drug delivery and release capabilities and minimized nonspecific systemic spread of drugs, remarkably enhancing the therapeutic efficiency while minimizing acute side effects.

Design, Synthesis, and Functionalization Strategies of Tailored Carbon Nanodots.

Abstract: Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been devoted to synthesizing nanostructured materials with specific properties that ultimately shape their function. In the carbon nanotechnology era, for nanomaterials such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, the main focus has been on the organic functionalization of these nanostructures, in order to tailor their processability and applicability. Carbon-based dots, quasi-spherical nanoparticles with a shape under 10 nm, have popped up into this context especially due to their versatile synthesis and intriguing properties, mainly their fluorescence emission. Even though they were discovered through the top-down route of cutting large carbon nanostructures, in recent years the ease and flexibility of the bottom-up synthesis have allowed this carbon-based class of nanomaterials to advance at a striking pace. However, the fast speed of research and publication rate have caused a few issues that affect their classification, purity criteria, and fluorescence mechanisms. As these are being progressively addressed, the true potential and applicability of this nanomaterial has started to unravel. In this Ariticle, we describe our efforts toward the synthesis, purification, characterization, and applications of carbon nanodots. Special attention was dedicated to designing and customizing the optoelectronic properties of these nanomaterials, as well as their applications in hybrid and composite systems. Our approach is centered on a bottom-up, microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. We have successfully exploited a multicomponent synthetic approach, using arginine and ethylenediamine as starting materials. By controlling the reaction conditions, in just 3 min, blue-emitting carbon nanodots become accessible. We have improved this approach by designing and tuning the emissive, electrochemical, and chiroptical properties of these nanoforms. On the other hand, we have used postfunctionalization reactions as a tool for conjugation with suitable partners and for further tuning the surface chemistry. The combination of these two approaches has produced a number of carbon nanodots that can be investigated in fields ranging from biology to materials chemistry and in applications spanning from nanomedicine to energy conversion.

Multifunctional nanomedicine platform for cancer specific delivery of siRNA by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-dendrimer complexes.

Abstract: The ability of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and Poly(Propyleneimine) generation 5 dendrimers (PPI G5) to cooperatively provoke siRNA complexation was investigated in order to develop a targeted, multifunctional siRNA delivery system for cancer therapy. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coating and cancer specific targeting moiety (LHRH peptide) have been incorporated into SPIO-PPI G5-siRNA complexes to enhance serum stability and selective internalization by cancer cells. Such a modification of siRNA nanoparticles enhanced its internalization into cancer cells and increased the efficiency of targeted gene suppression in vitro. Moreover, the developed siRNA delivery system was capable of sufficiently enhancing in vivo antitumor activity of an anticancer drug (Cisplatin). The proposed approach demonstrates potential for the creation of targeted multifunctional nanomedicine platforms with the ability to deliver therapeutic siRNA specifically to cancer cells in order to prevent severe adverse side effects on healthy tissues and in situ monitoring of the therapeutic outcome using clinically relevant imaging techniques.