Photoresponsive Delivery Of Nanovectors: A Review Of Concepts And Applications

Abstract

: Stimuli-triggered nanovectors for drug delivery enhance the clinical efficacy and decrease the toxicity by specifically conveying the drugs to the site of target with higher specificity and efficiency. Several stimuli have been regarded, but light as an exogenous stimulus renders several benefits in clinical usage, like elevated spatial and temporal control. A number of photochemical mechanisms have been exploited in the design of photo triggered nanocarriers for biomedical applications. Light in conjugation with photosensitizers or imaging agents in nanovectors can help ensure precise diagnosis, drug delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes. Nanomedicine plays a key role in enhancing therapeutic efficacy and limiting the adverse effects. The review evaluates the multiple nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymersomes, micelles, nanogels etc., which have leveraged the advantages of phototargeting via photothermal, photochemical, photo isomerization and upconversion based activation strategies for efficient drug targeting to intracellular and other regions. An overview of the significant benefits and constraints, and the latest developments in the most popular and recent photoresponsive drug delivery methods is provided to critically judge the prospectives for success and limitations and delve upon the possible future perspectives in the field.