Applications of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer and diabetes

This paper discusses potential applications of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems and pharmacotherapeutics. There are a few limitations in the use of conventionally available drug delivery systems as pharmacological agents in disease treatment. Lack of target specificity, altered effects and diminished potency due to drug metabolism in the body, cytotoxicity of certain anti-carcinogenic pharmacological agents, are to mention a few. Biocompatible nanoparticles with optimised physical, chemical and biological properties can serve as effective drug delivery systems. These newer generations of drug delivery systems have significant advantages over the conventionally available drug delivery systems. This article discusses the need for nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, their advantages, applications and limitations of such drug delivery systems in the treatment of cancer and diabetes.