Nano-pharmacokinetics: biodistribution and toxicology

Abstract Nanotechnology has now become a pivotal technology in medicine, capable of providing an innovative explanation for various unmet therapeutic needs. The core of nanomedicine is the development of diagnostic means and therapeutics into their nanoscopic form with the aid of different vehicles to achieve targeted drug delivery. These nanoparticles are typically less than 200 nm in diameter. Lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, drug conjugates, and magnetic nanoparticles are a few examples of nanomedicines. Nanomedicines with their novel structural characteristics enhance the drug permeability, absorbability, and retention properties. They play a very important role in diagnostic imaging, tumor detection, photodynamic, and photothermal therapy. Physicochemical properties such as particle size, shape, and surface area show a greater influence on the absorption and elimination of nanomedicines. Besides several advantages, the major adverse effect of the nanomedicines is their toxicity. The smaller the size of the particle, the higher is its toxicity. In this chapter, we focus on the detailed pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and toxicology of nanomedicines.