Malaria treatment using novel nano-based drug delivery systems

J Drug Target. 2017 Aug;25(7):567-581. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2017.1291645. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Abstract

We reside in an era of technological innovation and advancement despite which infectious diseases like malaria remain to be one of the greatest threats to the humans. Mortality rate caused by malaria disease is a huge concern in the twenty-first century. Multiple drug resistance and nonspecific drug targeting of the most widely used drugs are the main reasons/drawbacks behind the failure in malarial therapy. Dose-related toxicity because of high doses is also a major concern. Therefore, to overcome these problems nano-based drug delivery systems are being developed to facilitate site-specific or target-based drug delivery and hence minimizing the development of resistance progress and dose-dependent toxicity issues. In this review, we discuss about the shortcomings in treating malaria and how nano-based drug delivery systems can help in curtailing the infectious disease malaria.

Keywords: Infectious diseases; drug resistance; malaria; nanoparticles; site specific.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / administration & dosage
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / drug therapy*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles

Substances

  • Antimalarials