Polymers in Nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is the field of study that involves both biotechnology and nanotechnology, aiming at structures, molecules, the study of device and mechanism on the nanoscale level, comprising 1–10 nm (Fig. 10.1). Due to their size, structure, and high surface area, researchers have gotten an insight into nanoscale materials in several biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, cancer therapy, drug delivery, bioimaging, etc. Nanoparticles are extensively used to increases the efficacy of a drug and reduce side effects through direct targeting and site-specific controlled delivery (Daniel-da-Silva and Trindade 2011). However, due to the toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles, polymers are generally used as a nanoparticle carrier to reduce the toxicity and increase the cellular uptake (Mohanraj and Chen 2006). For decades, polymers have been extensively studied based on their chemical and physical properties and their uses in bioscience applications. Designing polymer that responds to pH, ultrasound, and magnetic field has given rise to smart polymers that have used in surgeries for insertion of self-inflating bulky medical devices (Kumar et al. 2007). Cellular regeneration plays a vital role in the healing process from pathological conditions. However, some of the main issues that might affect tissue regeneration include inflammatory responses, deregulation of proteases, infection, and inadequate localized angiogenesis (Eming et al. 2014). Chronic impairment in tissue regeneration would also lead to loss of cellular senescence or facilitating the formation of cancers. Hence, novel biomaterials are crucial to improve the wound dressing properties that include antioxidative, anti-infective, adhesive, migrating, and proliferating cells (Griffith 2000). Polymeric nano-constructs are broadly known as cellular support systems for therapeutic application. Table 10.1 illustrates a list of polymers used in nanomedicine applications. The present work focuses on some of natural and synthetic polymers that have been used in the nanomedical field. Most of these polymers are either used as native or chemically modified structures.