Title:Recent Advances in Nanoparticle Carriers for Coordination Complexes
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Mariana Rillo Sato, Patricia Bento da Silva, Rodrigo Alves de Souza, Karen Cristina dos Santos and Marlus Chorilli
Affiliation:School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
Keywords:Biological activity, Coordination compound, Drug delivery systems, Metallic complex, Nanosystems, Nanotechnology.
Abstract:Coordination compounds are substances in which a central metal atom is bonded to nonmetal atoms,
or groups of atoms, called ligands. Examples include vitamin B12, hemoglobin, chlorophyll, dyes and
pigments, as well as catalysts used in organic synthesis. Coordination compounds have received much attention
in recent years. This interest was prompted by the discovery that several coordination compounds exhibit
activity against bacteria, fungi and cancer. Some coordination compounds are not in clinical use, because
of poor water solubility. Because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of cells, bioavailability and efficacy
are low. Some researchers have applied nanotechnology to coordination compounds, hoping to reduce the number of
doses required and the severity of side effects, and also to improve biological activity. Nanotechnology can deliver active
components in sufficient concentrations throughout treatment, guiding it to the desired location of action; conventional
treatments do not meet these requirements. In this study we review some drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology,
such as microemulsions (MEs), cyclodextrin (CD), polymeric nanoparticles (PN), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured
lipid carriers (NLCs), magnetic and gold nanoparticles (MNPs / AuNPs) and liquid crystalline systems (LC),
and coordination compounds.
