Nanoparticles - a powerful way to deliver drugs

Nanoparticles are very tiny particles. If the earth was our reference point, a nano particle could be as small as an atom. Really tiny.

Which is what makes them extremely useful as a drug delivery mechanism.

Allow me to explain. Imagine that a small cross section of one cell in your body was damaged. Using oral medicine, you sent chemicals into your body. The chemicals comprised billions of atoms.

These atoms would target not just the injured cells, but billions of other cells inside your body. The chemicals would attack cells not originally damaged. Perhaps they saw “side effects” something that your doctor warned you about.

Which is why nano particles as a means of drug delivery is exciting.

Scientists can make nano particle drugs from a variety of materials. Polymers, lipids, peptides and other compounds. Chitosan, for example, is a natural biodegradable material.

These nano particles can be loaded with the intended drug. The nano particle is then given a marker which will bind to the exact site that it is intended for.

When delivered into your body, it makes its way till it reaches the area. It then binds and releases its pay load, helping you heal.

Because they have a specific lock that will only bind to the intended cell, they do not release the payload anywhere else. Your cells heal without the side effects typically seen in other medications.

Nanoparticles are used in a wide variety of medicines and neutraceuticals. From cancer to vitamins, manufacturers are rapidly finding ways to deliver these drugs to specific parts of your body.

Doxil, used for ovarian cancer, is one such example.

Because they have fewer side effects, if you ever need to take medication, ask your doctor if a nano particle version of the same drug can be found.

You might save yourself some of the side effects.

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