Application of Nanotechnology for Enhanced Treatment of Tropical Diseases

Abstract

The use of nanotechnology in drug delivery is a rapidly expanding field. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary scientific undertaking that involves creation and utilization of materials, devices or systems on nanometer scale. A wide variety of nanoscale systems including liposomes, micelles, emulsions, nanoparticulates and dendrimers can serve as possible nanocarrier delivery systems.Most of the new potential therapeutics at present as well as some of the drugs in use today have poor pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutical properties that can be circumvented by encapsulating them into appropriate nanocarriers. Nanoformulation of drugs have been extensively studied and shown to have the potential to address issues associated with pharmaceuticals such as extending the half-life, adding to their performance and acceptability by increasing efficacy or improving safety and patient compliance. Already, success in use of the technology for some disease conditions such as Doxil for cancer treatment. Unfortunately, nanotechnology has not been applied to poverty related diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and other tropical diseases which majorly affect Kenya. This study has successfully nanoformulated two antimalarial drugs (dihydroartemisinin and primaquine). These drugs have been nanoformulated and characterized and found to posses desirable nanoparticulate characteristics. Preclinical efficacy studies on the formulation have shown enhanced antimalarial efficacy. This study discusses the potential of developing nanomedicine drug delivery system for treatment of tropical diseases with emphasis on malarial treatment. The experiences, challenges and milestones will be discussed.