Table 1.

Some selected examples of micro-/nanosystems for the treatment of CVDs.

Micro-/Nanosystems	Applications	Advantages/Benefits	Refs.
Liposomes containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)	To treat MI and improve cardiac function	High enhancement in fractional shortening and improvement in systolic function; excellent improvements in cardiac function and vascular structure	[21]
Polylactic co-glycolic acid NPs containing VEGF	To repair the heart after MI	Enhancement in the angiogenic and therapeutic potency of VEGF for treating ischemic heart disease.	[22]
Polymeric NPs	For the targeted delivery of nitric oxide (NO); treatment of portal hypertension	Non-toxicity; these NPs could alleviate the hemodynamic disorders in bile duct-ligated-induced portal hypertension, evidenced by reducing portal pressure and unchanging mean arterial pressure.	[23]
Niosomes	For the delivery of lacidipine; the management of hypertension	An enhancement in skin permeation (~2.15 times), compared to control gel; improved reduction in blood pressure	[24]
Nano-vesicular lipid carriers	For the delivery of angiotensin II receptor blocker (valsartan)	Improved anti-hypertensive effects; no skin toxicity	[25]
Dendrimeric NPs	For selective delivery of liver-x-receptor ligands to atherosclerotic plaque-associated macrophages while limiting hepatic uptake; modulation of atherosclerosis	High reduction in atherosclerotic plaque progression, plaque necrosis, and plaque inflammation; macrophage-specific delivery platforms for targeted transferring anti-atherosclerotic agents to the plaque-associated macrophages to reduce plaque burden	[26]