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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDResults in Chemistry

Molecular design and therapeutic applications of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery: A comprehensive review

  • Sumeer Ahmed1
  • Mohd Hasan Mujahid2
  • Mandeep Kour1
  • Shaista Fatima2
  • Salaman Ahamad2
  • Saurav Kumar Mishra3
  • Ajmal Rashid Bhat4
  • Ahmed Abu‐Rayyan5
  • Birhanu Ayalew Tebeje6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Natural Product and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India
  2. 2Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247 667, India
  3. 3Department of Bioinformatics, University of North Bengal, District-, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734 013, India
  4. 4Department of Chemistry, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India
  5. 5Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Applied Science Private University, P.O. Box 166, Amman 11931, Jordan
  6. 6College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Chemistry Department, University of Gondar, P.o.box, 196,Gondar, Ethiopia
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Abstract

Polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as versatile platforms for modern drug delivery, offering improved therapeutic outcomes through controlled release, enhanced absorption, and targeted action. Recent developments in fabrication techniques such as nanoprecipitation, emulsion polymerization, and free radical polymerization have enabled precise control over nanoparticle design, size, and functionality. Advances in stimuli-responsive systems, including pH-, temperature-, and light-sensitive polymers, as well as multifunctional nanocarriers, have further enhanced therapeutic accuracy. Applications extend to cancer therapy, where solubility and tumor targeting are improved; gene therapy, where nucleic acid delivery is optimized; and biologics delivery, where encapsulation enhances stability. Additionally, antimicrobial and antiviral uses highlight their potential against infections. Despite these achievements, challenges persist in regulating toxicity, clearance, biodistribution, and immunogenicity. This review underscores both the promise and the limitations of polymeric nanoparticles, emphasizing their transformative potential while identifying the barriers that must be addressed for successful clinical translation.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{ahmed2026molecular,
  title = {{Molecular design and therapeutic applications of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery: A comprehensive review}},
  author = {Sumeer Ahmed and Mohd Hasan Mujahid and Mandeep Kour and Shaista Fatima and Salaman Ahamad and Saurav Kumar Mishra and Ajmal Rashid Bhat and Ahmed Abu‐Rayyan and Birhanu Ayalew Tebeje},
  journal = {Results in Chemistry},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103459},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103459},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Molecular design and therapeutic applications of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery: A comprehensive review
AU  - Sumeer Ahmed
AU  - Mohd Hasan Mujahid
AU  - Mandeep Kour
AU  - Shaista Fatima
AU  - Salaman Ahamad
AU  - Saurav Kumar Mishra
AU  - Ajmal Rashid Bhat
AU  - Ahmed Abu‐Rayyan
AU  - Birhanu Ayalew Tebeje
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/30
JO  - Results in Chemistry
DO  - 10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103459
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103459
AB  - Polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as versatile platforms for modern drug delivery, offering improved therapeutic outcomes through controlled release, enhanced absorption, and targeted action. Recent developments in fabrication techniques such as nanoprecipitation, emulsion polymerization, and free radical polymerization have enabled precise control over nanoparticle design, size, and functionality. Advances in stimuli-responsive systems, including pH-, temperature-, and light-sensitive polymers, as well as multifunctional nanocarriers, have further enhanced therapeutic accuracy. Applications extend to cancer therapy, where solubility and tumor targeting are improved; gene therapy, where nucleic acid delivery is optimized; and biologics delivery, where encapsulation enhances stability. Additionally, antimicrobial and antiviral uses highlight their potential against infections. Despite these achievements, challenges persist in regulating toxicity, clearance, biodistribution, and immunogenicity. This review underscores both the promise and the limitations of polymeric nanoparticles, emphasizing their transformative potential while identifying the barriers that must be addressed for successful clinical translation.
SN  - 2211-7156
ER  -