Recent Trends in Nanocrystals for Pharmaceutical Applications

Background: As the quick development of modern methods and technologies currently, more and more drugs have been invented with a better efficiency. However, the poor water solubility has limited the drugs' pharmaceutical application. Methods: Tremendous research has been put in the design and development of nanocrystals for pharmaceutical applications over the past few decades. The nanocrystals not only have the chance to solve the poor solubility problem, but also could conquer the bioavailability and even the specific delivery problems. The physical properties of drugs can be changed dramatically due to the change of their size in a nanodimension. Therefore, the nanocrystals have great potential to overcome the challenge to design and development of new drugs for pharmaceutical applications. Results: In this review, we provide an overview of the recent trends in nanocrystals for pharmaceutical applications. Conclusion: The current technologies including top-down, bottom-up, and combinative technologies for nanocrystals were fully examined. Most importantly, the emphasis is put on the pharmaceutical applications including their formulation, administration methods, safety, and toxicity. The commercial status, limitations, challenges, and future trends of the nanocrystals for pharmaceutical applications were also discussed.