Polymeric Nanomedicines in the Therapy of Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation is a complex neurotropic, vascular and metabolic reaction, triggered by the pervasion of the healthy tissues of the body by pathogenic vascular agents, either external or produced by internal degradation. In this chapter are presented nanomedicines with anti-inflammatory substances active in the treatment of the major inflammatory diseases: ocular diseases (uveitis), bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The efforts of researchers in recent decades have resulted in numerous innovations in nanomedical systems that improve targeted substance release. Many of these nanoparticulate systems have significant potential for clinical applications. New inflammatory nonsteroidal substances were discovered and new ways have been proposed for active substances targeted release: polymeric and lipidic nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsions, monocrystals of medicinal substances, polymer-drug conjugates, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers etc.

Keywords: Inflammatory diseases, uveitis, bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lipidic nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsions, polymerdrug conjugates, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers.