Approved and marketed nanoparticles for disease targeting and applications in COVID-19

Nano-based systems can be used to transport active medicinal products to specific parts of the body. Most challenges with drug delivery, such as low water solubility and poor bioavailability, can be solved using nanotechnology. In addition, nanoparticles can overcome various physiological obstacles to increase load distribution to desired sites. Nanoparticles can carry a load of medication or therapeutic agent, such as a DNA-related substance, to enhance distribution time and deliver the drug to the target site in either a nonspecific (through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR)) or specific (through binding specific target receptors) manner. Moreover, nanoparticle drug delivery systems have been employed in the clinic since the early 1990s. Since then, the field of nanomedicine has developed with growing technical needs to improve the delivery of various medications. Over these past decades, newer generations of nanoparticles have emerged that are capable of conducting new delivery activities that could enable therapy via innovative therapeutic modalities. This review highlights different types of approved and currently marketed nanoparticles, such as nanocrystals, liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, PEGylated polymeric nanoparticles, protein-based nanoparticles, and metal-based nanoparticles. Furthermore, it explores the use of vaccine-loaded nanoparticles for COVID-19 prophylaxis.