Nanotechnology-Enhanced Controlled Release Systems in Topical Therapeutics

Abstract

Topical and transdermal drug delivery are alternative routes for medications facing challenges like solubility, stability, and first-pass metabolism. However, conventional immediate-release dosage forms delivered topically have drawbacks, including poor penetration and high side ef-fects. Controlled-release nanoparticles offer a promising solution, improving drug permeation and providing controlled release. This review examines recent advances, challenges, and prospects of controlled-release nanoparticles for topical drug delivery. Various types of nanoparticles, including lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanoemulgels, cubosome liposomes, poly-meric nanoparticles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers, carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites, and protein nanoparticles have been explored for their ability to encapsulate drugs, prolong drug release, and enhance skin permeation as well as improve therapeutic outcomes. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these nanoparticles in improving sustained and controlled-release topical delivery of a wide range of drugs, including poorly soluble, low degree of skin penetration, low stability, and drugs with low bioavailability and biological products. Despite their potential benefits, challenges such as scalability, reproducibility, and safety concerns remain. Future research should ad-dress these challenges and explore novel strategies to improve efficacy and safety by converging with microneedles and 3D nanoparticles. Ultimately, controlled-release nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize dermatological and transdermal drug delivery, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and patient care.