*Corresponding Author Address: V. Prathiba, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KK College of Pharmacy, Chennai, India- 600128; Email id- veguntaprathiba19@gmail.com World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN (Print): 2321-3310; ISSN (Online): 2321-3086 Published by Atom and Cell Publishers © All Rights Reserved Available online at: http://www.wjpsonline.org/ Review Article Nanotechnology for Diabetes: A Review S. Kumdhavalli, P. Mayavathi, S. Monisha, T. Geetha Priya, V. Prathiba* Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, KK College of Pharmacy, Chennai, India-600128 Received: 03-05-2016 / Revised: 15-06-2016 / Accepted: 24-06-2016 / Published: 26-06-2016 ABSTRACT This review article discusses the potential applications of nanoparticles and BioMEMS as drug delivery systems for diabetes treatment. This manuscript discusses polymeric nanoparticles, oral insulin administration using polysaccharides and polymeric nanoparticles, inhalable insulin nanoparticles formulations, and insulin delivery using BioMEMS. In addition polymeric nanoparticles and treatment of diabetes –associated symptoms are discussed. There are a few limitations in the use of conventionally available drug delivery systems for diabetes treatment. This article reviews the subject in brief with suitable references to original research articles and review articles on earlier and current research findings about various types of nanoparticles and BioMEMS in diabetes treatment and their limitations. Key words: Nanotechnology, diabetes, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, BioMEMS, insulin INTRODUCTION Nanotechnology can be defined as the science and engineering involved in the design, synthesis, characterization and application of materials and devices whose smallest functional organization in at least one dimension is on the nanometer scale (one-billionth of a meter) [1-3] .When this science is applied specifically to the problems of medicine, it is called ‘Nanomedicine’ [4,5] .The nanomedicine scale limitations excludes at the lower end atoms (0.1 nm) and at the upper end biological entities such as bacteria (1000–10000 nm) and body cells (eg. White blood cell 10000 nm).Human body has configured many of its biocomponents as nanostructures, including proteins, mitochondria, ion channels, membranes, secretory granules, lysosomes and so on, but many new nanomaterials and structures are now being manufactured that might be of use in medicine, such as nanoparticles, capsules, films and tubes, and complex molecules( e.g. fullerenes) [6] .Nanomedicine can be classified into (a) measurement (or ‘nanometrology’), which concerns either measuring very small amounts of analytes (e.g. microphysiometer) or using very small sized devices for measuring (e.g. Quantum dots). For example, a quantum dot is about the same size as a small protein (<10nm) and drug- carrying nanostructures are the same size as some viruses (<100 nm). (b) Therapy, as all of the manipulations and constructions of materials at the nano-level ultimately concern therapies (e.g. Artificial nanopancreas) [7] . DIABETES, TYPES AND ITS ETIOLOGY Diabetes mellitus, often referred as diabetes is caused by decrease in insulin secretion by pancreatic islet cells leading to increase in blood glucose level (hyperglycemia). Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by excretion of large amounts of severely diluted urine, which cannot be reduced when fluid intake is reduced. This is caused due to deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) also known as vasopressin secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger) [8] . Diabetes mellitus has been classified as Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes and Gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes: Diabetes mellitus type 1 (Type 1 diabetes, IDDM, or, formerly, juvenile diabetes) is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose. The classical symptoms are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), and weight loss. Type 1