CHAPTER 3 - Nanomaterials for oral drug administration

In the last decade, a wide variety of oral nano-scaled drug delivery systems have been developed. This book chapter first gives a background on the challenges associated with the design of oral drug formulations, in relation to the well-known barriers presented by the gastrointestinal tract. Then, the most common nanomaterials used for oral formulations, which are classified as nanocrystals and nanosuspensions, polymeric, lipid and inorganic-based nanocarriers are described, plus a view on the most advanced nanomaterials, such as hybrid, protein and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Specifically, the properties, advantages and disadvantages of the different nanomaterials are reported. The design aspects of nanosystems for the targeting of specific gastrointestinal regions are also highlighted. Finally, critical considerations on the approaches to convert nanocarriers into final dosage forms suitable for oral administration, which are crucial to make these nanocarriers clinically and commercially available, are provided.