A review on novel methodologies for drug nanoparticle preparation: Microfluidic approach

The intrinsic limitations of conventional dosages have facilitated the emergence of novel drug delivery methodologies. Drug nanonization and encapsulation in polymeric biomaterials offers a new platform to enhance therapeutic efficiency and patient compliance. The two most basic approaches for drug size reduction are top-down, bottom-up, or a combination of these methods. This review analyzes three widely investigated techniques (viz. spray drying, high pressure homogenization, and ultrasonication) along with microfluidics for drug nanonization and encapsulation in past few years. Also, the existing challenges of aforesaid methodologies and their solution through microfluidics are highlighted. Microfluidics has brought unique opportunities towards complete control over process parameters, owing to miniaturization of fluidic environment. Overall, the emergence of microfluidic technology has created exciting possibilities in the field of controlled drug delivery and has paved a way for clinical translation of nanomedicines. (C) 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.