Role of Nanotechnology in Diabetic Management

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has emerged as an epidemic that has affected millions of people worldwide in the last few decades. Nanotechnology is a discipline that is concerned with material characteristics at nanoscale and offers novel techniques for disease detection, management and prevention.

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is an epidemic disease that has affected millions of people globally. Nanotechnology has greatly enhanced the health status by providing non-obtrusive techniques for the management and treatment of diabetic patients.

Method: In diabetes research, the nanotechnology has encouraged the advancement of novel glucose monitoring and several modalities for insulin delivery holding possibilities to enhance the personal satisfaction and life quality for diabetic patients.

Result: Nanoparticles hold a great potential in the areas of drug delivery and are explored as vehicles for orally administered insulin formulations. Glucose biosensors equipped with nanoscale materials such as Quantum Dots (QDs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) etc. have shown greater sensitivity. Nanotechnology in diabetic research is heading towards the novel techniques which can provide continuous glucose monitoring offering accurate information and improving patient's compliance.

Conclusion: The present review addresses the different aspects of nanoparticles and recent patents related to diabetic management based on nanotechnology.

Keywords: Nanotechnology; diabetes; glucose nanosensors; nanomedicine; nanoparticles; patents..