Protein nanoparticle: A unique system as drug delivery vehicles

Over the past three decades, there has been a considerable research interest in the area of developing drug delivery using nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers for small and large molecules. Targeting delivery of drugs to the diseased lesions is one of the most important aspects of drug delivery system. They have been used in vivo to protect the drug entity in the systemic circulation, restrict access of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action. Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drug delivery research to increase therapeutic benefit, while minimizing side effects. This review presents the most outstanding contributions in the field of protein nanoparticles used as drug delivery systems. Methods of preparation of protein nanoparticles, characterization, drug loading, release and their applications in delivery of drug molecules and therapeutic genes are considered.