title: Recent advances in green nanoparticulate systems for drug delivery: efficient delivery and safety concern.
abstract: Nanotechnology manipulates therapeutic agents at the nanoscale for the development of nanomedicines. However, there are current concerns over nanomedicines, mainly related to the possible toxicity of nanomaterials used for health medications. Due to their small size, they can enter the human body more readily than larger sized particles. Green chemistry encompasses the green synthesis of drug-loaded nanoparticles by reducing the use of hazardous materials in the synthesis process, thus reducing the adverse health impacts of pharmaceutics. This would greatly expand their potential in biomedical treatments. This review highlights the potential risks of nanomedicine formulations to health, delivery routes of green nanomedicines, recent advances in the development of green nanoscale systems for biomedical applications and future perspectives for the green development of nanomedicines.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Pik-Ling
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Wai-Yeung
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Clinical Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhaoxiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences, Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China.|Clinical Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Chung-Hin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.affiliation: Centre of Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gambari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers
keywords: drug delivery; green nanoparticles; nanomedicines; nanotoxicity; safety evaluation