Nanomedicine and Biomedical Applications.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are developed to target alveolar macrophages associated with pulmonary inflammation. Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia to inhaled allergens and nonspecific stimuli. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a nuclear hormone receptor is expressed in the structural and inflammatory cells of the lungs that regulates inflammatory responses in asthma pathophysiology. Galangin, a flavonoid present in Alpinia officinarum is a PPARγ agonist proven to possess anti-asthmatic property. Despite the potent therapeutic efficacy of galangin, poor aqueous solubility limits its pharmacological activity. Polymeric nanoparticles are biocompatible, safe and stable with sustained release property which are required for better therapeutic applications.