Nanomaterial-enabled drug delivery systems for circadian medicine: bridging direct rhythm modulation and chronotherapy

Circadian rhythms are essential for maintaining health and homeostasis, and disruptions can lead to sleep disorders, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. Herein, we discuss the importance of circadian rhythms and the challenges in their regulation, highlighting the limitations of traditional drug delivery methods. Various nanomaterials such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs), and mesoporous silica nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties. These characteristics allow them to deliver drugs to specific targets over a sustained period, which improves the effectiveness of treatments for circadian-related disorders. The article discusses how nanomaterials can be used to combine different treatment strategies to address the many challenges of disrupted circadian rhythms. By delivering several drugs at once, these systems can enhance treatment specificity and reduce side effects, offering a more effective approach to managing conditions such as sleep disorders and mood disorders associated with circadian misalignment. The potential for smart drug delivery systems (SDDSs) that respond to physiological cues, such as temperature or pH changes, is also explored, showcasing how these innovations could lead to more personalized and effective therapies.