Preeminent Physicochemical Properties of Drug Nanocrystals for Enhanced Delivery of Clinically Challenging Therapeutics

Abstract Many compounds with better therapeutic efficiency were neglected for formulation development and delivery in conventional drug delivery approaches. Traditional strategies for addressing this issue include salt formulation, solubilization, complexation, and liposome formation. The modern nanocrystal technology potentially addresses poor bioavailability, low saturation solubility, and dissolution rate of therapeutic moieties. Drug nanocrystals, known for their simplicity in preparation and general applicability, consist of pure active pharmaceutical ingredient compared to other nanoparticulate systems. As polymeric nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are to be considered for their level of toxicity and drug loading capacity, nanocrystals are receiving much attention nowadays. Production techniques of such nanocrystals, comprised pearl milling, high-pressure homogenization, and precipitation, alter superior physicochemical properties such as increased solubility, permeability, stability, and amorphization. This further aids in the targeted drug delivery to the injured site with minimal elucidation of toxicity in the surrounding normal cells. With a better biological understanding, drug nanocrystals are being utilized as a potent nanocarrier drug delivery system to address the physicochemical barriers of clinically meaningful drugs.