Polymeric nanocapsules as drug delivery systems - A review

General aspects of nanocapsules used in drug delivery systems are reviewed from both a physicochemical and a therapeutic point of view. We first describe the preparation methods and ways to characterize this o/w system (size, surface, density, release, stability), and theta describe the influence of encapsulation within nanocapsules on the biological activity of numerous drugs. Among the indications for the therapeutic use nanocapsules, one can cite solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs, protection of drugs from inactivation in the gastro-intestinal tract, protection of mucosa from the toxicity of drugs, increased permeation of drugs through mucosal surfaces and prolongation of the blood circulation of injected drugs. Since the mid-1980s, many different active molecules, such as anti-inflammatory agents, anticancer drugs, immunostimulating compounds, antiinfectious agents, antiglaucomatous drugs and even peptides have been encapsulated and as a result their pharmacological effect has been improved or their secondary effects reduced compared with free drugs after administration by oral, parenteral or ocular routes.