Nanodrugs: A Futuristic Approach for Treating Nephrolithiasis

Kidney stones or nephrolithiasis is a frequent condition resulting from a succession of several physiochemical events causing a huge burden on the health and economic status globally. Although they vary widely in their composition, calcium oxalate stones form the predominant kidney stones. The degradation of calcium oxalate stones using enzymes such as oxalate decarboxylase and oxalate oxidase has been a potential therapeutic approach for treatment of nephrolithiasis; however due to their reduced half-life under in vivo conditions as well as difficulty in delivery of these drugs to target site, their use as a therapeutic for nephrolithiasis is limited. In the recent years, the potential impact of nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of nephrolithiasis has been widely recognized. One of the most important uses of nanomedicines is in the delivery and controlled release of drugs. Several nanoparticles such as those made up of metals or metal oxides besides lipid and polymer encapsulated nanoparticles have been reported lately for targeting kidney stones. The present article discusses the current challenges and futuristic approaches for the development of nanoparticles of oxalate-degrading enzymes for treating nephrolithiasis, and it highlights the recent developments in this area.