Nanotherapeutic approaches for transdermal drug delivery systems and their biomedical applications

Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) are designed to deliver drugs through the skin and into the systemic circulation. They offer several advantages over traditional oral or injectable routes, such as improved patient compliance, avoidance of first-pass metabolism, and sustained release of drugs. Nanoparticles and nanotechnology have been extensively explored and utilized in developing transdermal drug delivery systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Nanoparticles are tiny particles with dimensions ranging from 1 to 100 nm. They can be engineered to encapsulate drugs and facilitate their transport across the skin. Here are some ways in which nanoparticles and nanotechnology are used in transdermal drug delivery applications like an encapsulation of drugs to protect them from degradation and improve their stability, as well as controlling the release of drugs over an extended period, enhanced drug permeation by adding permeation enhancer, and targeted delivery to target specific cells or tissues. Nanoparticles can incorporate penetration enhancers that facilitate drug permeation through the skin. These enhancers can disrupt the skin barrier, increase drug solubility, and improve drug diffusion. Here are some commonly used nanoparticles in transdermal drug delivery, like solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs), polymeric nanocarriers (e.g., dendrimers), inorganic nanoparticles, and hybrid carriers. In this review, we will discuss nanoparticles and nanotechnology that have revolutionized transdermal drug delivery by improving drug stability, enhancing skin permeation, enabling targeted delivery, and allowing for sustained release, as well as their biomedical application for various diseases like wound healing, cancer, and other conditions. Their unique properties and tunability make them valuable tools in developing efficient and patient-friendly transdermal drug delivery systems.