Journal of Nanomaterials and Devices

ABSTRACT

The development of biodegradable nanomaterials has emerged as a pivotal advancement in the design of sustainable pharmaceutical formulations. These materials, encompassing a broad spectrum of natural and synthetic polymers as well as lipid-based systems, offer distinct advantages in drug delivery, including controlled release, site-specific targeting, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Crucially, their capacity for enzymatic or hydrolytic degradation into non-toxic byproducts aligns with environmental and biological safety standards, addressing growing concerns over the persistence of conventional drug carriers. This mini-review provides a concise overview of the principal categories of biodegradable nanomaterials, evaluates their functional roles in diverse pharmaceutical applications—ranging from oncology and gene therapy to vaccine delivery—and discusses their potential to replace or complement existing delivery platforms. Furthermore, the review outlines current challenges such as formulation stability, large-scale production, and regulatory considerations that constrain clinical translation. Taken together, biodegradable nanomaterials represent a promising paradigm for the development of next-generation, environmentally responsible therapeutic systems.

KEYWORDS

1. Biodegradable nanomaterials
2. Pharmaceutical formulations
3. Sustainability
4. Drug delivery
5. Nanomedicine
6. Green chemistry