With the advancement in nanotechnology, scientists have been in search to find the use of nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery. Nanomicelles, like nanoshells and nanovesicles are extremely small sized particles and have been noted as a new emerging platform in the field of science and medicine. Nanomicelles are stable at room temperature and are less than 100nm in size. They have ultramicroscopic globular structures and consists of hydrophilic exterior and a hydrophobic core of fatty acyl chain.
Shape
of nanomicelles Shape and size of nanomicelles are decided by
molecular geometry of the particle. Shapes formed depend on pH of solution,
ionic strength and surfactant concentration. Nanomicelles are mostly spherical
in shape but some are cylindrical and ellipsoid also.
Formation
Nanomicelles
can be formed in aqueous or non-aqueous solution. Hydrophobic or non polar
region forms interior and hydrophilic or polar region forms exterior. Nanomicelles
may be developed from the mixture of lipids and detergents or from surfactant
molecules that can be ionic, non-ionic and cationic detergents.
Factors affecting nanomicelles
- Chain length of surfactant molecules- longer molecular chain length results in the formation of nanomicelles with low concentration.
- Temperature- increase in temperature leads to increase in critical micelle concentration (CMC).
- Dissolved salts- solutions containing dissolved salts decrease CMC.
- Addition of alcohol to water- presence of alcohol in water increases CMC.
Uses of nanomicelles
- Drug delivery- Nanomicelles will be deployed as an effective drug carrier. Team of Nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) has developed a nanomicelle that can be used to deliver a drug called docetaxel. This drug is used for the treatment of cancers. In cancer treatment, it is always expected to kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells of body. Docetaxel is hydrophobic drug and is dissolved in mixture of polysorbate-80 and alcohol. This mixture is toxic for liver, lungs and blood cells. So, there was a need of effective drug delivery vehicle for docetaxel without any extra damage. Nanomicelles are suited best in this work.
- Nanomicelles can also be used therapeutic interventions involving protein and peptide delivery.
- Hydrophobic part of nanomicelles facilitates solubilisation of hydrophobic drugs in water.
- Hydrophilic shell itself acts as protector for the drug and enables prolonged circulation.
- Nanomicelles have lower toxicity and have an ability to minimize drug degradation.
- Nanomicelles are extremely cost effective and can establish itself as a next generation chemotherapeutic.
