Table 6 The advantages of different carrier systems for application
Characteristics | Chemical structure | Preparation process | Uniformity | Tissue targeting | Advantages | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LBNPs | ● Amphiphilic molecules forming bilayers ● Flexibility in incorporating various lipids | ● Self-assembly in aqueous environments ● Scalable and reproducible | High batch-to-batch consistency | ● Enhanced by surface modification ● Passive targeting via EPR effect | ● High biocompatibility ● Efficient encapsulation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs ● Ease of functionalization for targeted delivery | ● Drug delivery in cancer therapy ● Gene delivery systems ● Vaccines |
Peptides | ● Short chains of amino acids ● High structural diversity | ● Solid-phase synthesis ● Customizable sequences | High uniformity in synthesis | High specificity through sequence design | ● High specificity to target sites ● Easy to synthesize and modify ● Biodegradability and low toxicity | ● Targeted drug delivery ● Antimicrobial agents |
Polymers | ● Long chains of repeating unit ● Can be natural or synthetic | ● Polymerization ● Various methods (emulsion, nanoprecipitation) | Can vary depending on synthesis method | Tunable by polymer composition and structure | ● Versatile in size and shape ● Controlled drug release ● High stability and loading capacity | ● Sustained drug release systems ● Tissue engineering ● Controlled drug delivery in specific conditions |
Exosomes | ● Lipid bilayer vesicles ● Derived from natural cells | ● Isolated from biological fluids ● Requires purification steps | May have variability depending on source | ● Intrinsic targeting abilities ● Homing to donor cells | ● Natural origin and high biocompatibility ● Intrinsic targeting ability ● Minimal immune response | ● Regenerative medicine ● Cancer therapy ● Diagnostic biomarkers and drug delivery |
IONPs | ● Core-shell structure with iron oxide core ● Can be coated with various materials | ● Co-precipitation, thermal decomposition ● Requires precise control- | High uniformity achievable | ● Can be targeted using magnetic fields ● Functionalizable for specific targeting | ● Magnetic properties enabling targeted delivery ● High stability and low toxicity ● Easily functionalizable | ● Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ● Targeted drug deliverr ● Hyperthermia treatment in cancer therapy |
