Nanopharmaceuticals: Application in inhaler systems

Abstract Inhalation therapy which is fundamentally used for the treatment of respiratory disease has been used for over 4000 years. Pulmonary drug delivery is a significant research area affecting the treatment of diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as cystic fibrosis (CF). Solid colloidal particles which are nanoparticles are ranging in size from 10 to 1000 nm. The particles in question can be made from biodegradable and biocompatible biomaterials. The principles which are expected to be active such as drugs of oligonucleotides can be adsorbed, encapsulated, or covalently attached to their surface or into their matrix. In vitro and in vivo studies have exhibited that nanoparticles are capable carrier systems meant for drug targeting strategies.