Journal Article

Nanoenabled smart drug delivery in One Health: advances in targeted therapy and theranostics

Lucero-Prisno, Don Eliseo, Gilbert, Ahishakiye, Lamem, Md Faiazul Haque, Okesanya, Olalekan John, Adebayo, Uthman Okikiola, Ahmed, Mohamed Mustaf, Oso, Tolutope Adebimpe, Habeeb, Lawal Akorede

2026

Overview

Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (VBZDs) remain a critical global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries and driving significant morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on nano-enabled smart drug delivery system (SDDS) within the One Health framework, emphasizing their role in advancing targeted therapy, controlled release, and theranostics for VBZD management. Nano-enabled platforms such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, nanogels, metal–organic frameworks, and biomimetic carriers are designed for stimuli-responsive and site-specific delivery, enhancing therapeutic precision, lowering dosing frequency, and reducing the risk of drug resistance. Controlled-release formulations of agents such as artemisinin derivatives, amphotericin B, and ivermectin have demonstrated superior efficacy in the treatment of malaria and leishmaniasis, and in vector control applications. Targeted delivery strategies extend beyond human therapies to address viral reservoirs, infected macrophages, and arthropod vectors, highlighting the cross-species applications central to One Health. Theranostic innovations combine imaging and therapy to enable early disease detection, real-time monitoring, and the design of adaptive treatment strategies. Applications span human, animal, and environmental domains, from nanovaccines and veterinary antimicrobials to nanoparticle-based larvicides and biosensors for vector surveillance. Future directions underscore the integration of AI-driven nanodesign, scalable and eco-friendly synthesis, and harmonized regulatory frameworks to increase accessibility in resource-limited settings. Although clinical trials are limited, ongoing translational efforts indicate the transformative potential of nanomedicine in VBZD control. Ultimately, integrating nano-enabled SDDS into a One Health framework provides a sustainable and collaborative approach to reduce the global burden of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Animal Ecology / Animal Genetics and Genomics / Animal human relations / Animal populations / Antimicrobial agents / Bioavailability / Biomimetics / Biosensors / Climate change / Cognitive enhancement / Collaboration / Disease control / Disease detection / Drug delivery / Drug delivery systems / Drug resistance / Drugs / Environmental health / Food Science / Global health / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Infectious diseases / Malaria / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mortality / Nanomedicine / Nanoparticles / One Health / Parasitic diseases / Parasitology and Infectious Diseases / Precision medicine / Public health / Review / Silver / Toxicity / Tropical diseases / VBZDs / Vector-borne disease / Vector-borne diseases / Vector-borne zoonotic diseases / Vectors (Biology) / Veterinary medicine / Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science / Veterinary Microbiology / Zoonoses