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. 2021 Jul 22;13(8):1120. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081120

Table 1.

The advantages and disadvantages of different types of nanoparticles used for the drug delivery of Sali.

Type of Nanoparticle Advantages Disadvantages Ref.
Liposomes
  • -

    Biocompatible/biodegradable/non-immunogenic/non-toxic;

  • -

    can incorporate hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs;

  • -

    can incorporate various compounds, including enzymes and genetic material;

  • -

    the formulation can be adjusted for a specific delivery route;

  • -

    multifunctional/smart liposomes can be developed.
  • -

    The entrapped drug concentration is dependent on the internal volume of the liposomes;

  • -

    low encapsulation efficiency.

 [55,56,57]
Polymeric nanoparticles
  • -

    Numerous biomedical applications;

  • -

    can entrap hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs;

  • -

    biodegradable/biocompatible;

  • -

    high encapsulation efficiency/drug loading.
  • -

    Some polymers are rapidly degraded or possess a poor solubility in numerous solvents;

  • -

    the scale-up process is challenging;

  • -

    nanoparticles obtained from synthetic polymers might cause environmental concerns.

 [55,58,59]
Polymer–lipid hybrid nanoparticles
  • -

    The use of combined excipients can lead to biocompatible nanoparticles with low cytotoxic profile, improved stability and increased in vivo activity;

  • -

    are able to deliver more than one active substance.

 - [60]
Micelles
  • -

    biocompatible;

  • -

    possess prolonged blood circulation time/release profile;

  • -

    the surface can be functionalized with ligands and peptides;

  • -

    stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles can be obtained;

  • -

    uniform in size.
  • -

    Can incorporate only lipophilic drugs;

  • -

    the incorporation of the active substances depends on the interaction with the excipients.

 [55,56,61]
Polypeptide/protein-based nanoparticles
  • -

    Can incorporate hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs;

  • -

    the surface can be modified with ligands;

  • -

    can cross the blood–brain barrier;

  • -

    the induced immune response is reduced in comparison with other types of nanoparticles;

  • -

    easy manufacturing process and scale-up.
  • -

    Different proteins tend to have different affinity for hydrophilic/lipophilic molecules.

 [62,63,64]
Carbon Nanotubes
  • -

    Can deliver drugs/genetic material/proteins;

  • -

    multiple biomedical applications.
  • -

    Poor solubility in water;

  • -

    can induce inflammatory reactions in different organs.

 [55,56,65]
Metallic nanoparticles
  • -

    Can deliver more than one drug;

  • -

    the surface properties can be easily modified during the preparation process;

  • -

    non-immunogenic;

  • -

    multiple biomedical applications.
  • -

    Lack of information regarding their toxicity and biopharmaceutic properties;

  • -

    non-biodegradable.

 [40,55,65]