Next-Generation Nanocarrier Systems for Targeted Drug Delivery: Advances in Lipid, Polymeric, Metal-Based, and Green Nanoparticles
Christian Isioma Okonta1, Micheal Abimbola Oladosu*2, Moses Abah Adondua3, Onyioha Emmanuel Buchi4, Judith Osakpamwan Enemudo5, Emmanuel C. Ugwuabonyi6
1Isioma Christian Okonta, Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria.
2Micheal Abimbola Oladosu, Department of Chemical Sciences, Anchor University, Lagos, Ayobo, Nigeria.
3Moses Adondua Abah, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Wukari, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria.
4Emmanuel Buchi Onyioha, Department of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
5Judith Osakpamwan Enemudo, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America (USA).
6Emmanuel C. Ugwuabonyi, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, Nigeria.
Manuscript received on 21 September 2026 | First Revised Manuscript received on 26 September 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 02 October 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 October 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 October 2026 | PP: 1-7 | Volume-6 Issue-6, October 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijapsr.F412006061026 | DOI: 10.54105/ijapsr.F4120.06061026
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© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Nanocarrier-based drug delivery has evolved from a concept into a clinically proven platform technology, with lipid nanoparticle (LNP)- based messenger RNA vaccine delivery systems and a wide array of polymeric and metallic nanomedicines as just a few examples. The review aims to be a synthesis of recent advances in the four main classes of nanocarriers: lipid-based (liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and ionizable-lipid LNPs); polymeric (poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), chitosan, polymeric micelles and dendrimers); metal-based (gold and iron oxide nanoparticles); and green-synthesised nanoparticles (via plants, algae and microbes). For each class, the review discusses synthesis strategies, targeting mechanisms (passive enhanced permeability and retention versus active ligandmediated targeting), and representative preclinical and clinical applications. It compares these approaches with other systems to highlight trade-offs in biocompatibility, payload flexibility, targeting accuracy, and manufacturing scalability. The review discusses key translational obstacles in depth, including interpatient EPR heterogeneity, reproducibility of green-synthesis batches, and gaps in regulatory standardisation, as well as novel solutions such as stimuli-responsive design, microfluidic manufacturing, and image-guided dosing. Based on the overall picture emerging from the review, the future of targeted therapeutics depends on nanocarriers that can adapt to the tumour/tissue microenvironment, with a stronger mechanistic understanding of the tumour/tissue environment.
Keywords: Nanocarriers; Lipid Nanoparticles; Polymeric Nanoparticles; Metal Nanoparticles; Green Synthesis; Targeted Drug Delivery; Nanomedicine.
Scope of the Article: Pharmaceutics (drug development, drug discovery)