A systematic review of nanocarriers used in medicine and beyond — definition and categorization framework

Nanocarriers are transport and encapsulation systems that primarily serve to protect and improve the dispersibility of predominantly hydrophobic active ingredients but also enable their targeted delivery and controlled release at the site of action. Nanocarriers are mainly made of either organic or inorganic materials, but various combinations of materials in complex structures are also under development. Most nanocarriers represent entities that are rationally designed to meet the functional requirements of a specific application. They can therefore be understood as Advanced Materials. Nanocarrier systems are already being used in medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, food, and household products. They are…

• UF
  Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
• U
  Umweltbundesamt
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz