title: Recent Trends in Nanotechnology-Based Drugs and Formulations for Targeted Therapeutic Delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the recent past, a wider spectrum of nanotechnologybased drugs or drug-loaded devices and systems has been engineered and investigated with high interests.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The key objective is to help for an enhanced/better quality of patient life in a secure way by avoiding/limiting drug abuse, or severe adverse effects of some in practice traditional therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Various methodological approaches including in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo techniques have been exploited, so far. Among them, nanoparticles-based therapeutic agents are of supreme interests for an enhanced and efficient delivery in the current biomedical sector of the modern world.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The development of new types of novel, effective and highly reliable therapeutic drug delivery system (DDS) for multipurpose applications is essential and a core demand to tackle many human health related diseases. In this context, nanotechnology-based several advanced DDS have been engineered with novel characteristics for biomedical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications that include but not limited to the enhanced/improved bioactivity, bioavailability, drug efficacy, targeted delivery, and therapeutically safer with an extra advantage of overcoming demerits of traditional drug formulations/designs. This review work is focused on recent trends/advances in nanotechnology-based drugs and formulations designed for targeted therapeutic delivery. Moreover, information is also reviewed and given from recent patents and summarized or illustrated diagrammatically to depict a better understanding. Recent patents covering various nanotechnology-based approaches for several applications have also been reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The drug-loaded nanoparticles are among versatile candidates with multifunctional characteristics for potential applications in biomedical, and tissue engineering sector.
authors.affiliation: ENCIT - Science, Engineering and Technology School, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., CP 64849. Mexico.
authors.forename: Hafiz M N
authors.initials: HMN
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: ENCIT - Science, Engineering and Technology School, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., CP 64849. Mexico.
authors.forename: Angel M V
authors.initials: AMV
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal-462 026 (MP). India.
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khandia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal-462 026 (MP). India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munjal
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010330:Patents as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Biomaterials; biomedical sector; drug delivery; drug-loaded nanoparticles; nanotechnology; therapeutic approaches