Recent advances in nanomaterial-based strategies for chronic pain alleviation

Mater Today Bio. 2026 May 23;38:103279. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103279. eCollection 2026 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain profoundly impacts global quality of life, positioning effective pain management as a critical medical priority. Currently, clinical pain treatment relies heavily on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, which, however, can lead to adverse effects and tolerance. Recent advances in nanotechnology are opening new avenues for drug delivery and therapeutic design, offering a promising area of research for developing innovative and safer pain management strategies. Unlike previous literature that primarily focuses on nanocarriers for conventional pharmaceuticals, this review systematically classifies nanomaterials according to their dual roles as precision delivery platforms and intrinsic therapeutic agents. Firstly, chronic pain analgesics are introduced through a categorization into traditional pharmacological drugs and emerging biological substances. Subsequently, an in-depth assessment of diverse nanoplatforms for drug delivery is provided. More importantly, nanomaterials possessing inherent analgesic properties are highlighted and the therapeutic mechanism is discussed. Furthermore, with an emphasis on active-targeting and stimulus-responsive release/activation strategies, the nanoplatforms for targeted pain management have been intensively introduced. Finally, this work addresses the current challenges and future perspectives of nanomedicine in pain management. By synthesizing current delivery nanoplatforms, intrinsic analgesic mechanisms of nanomaterials, the targeted pain relief strategies, and existing clinical barriers, this work aims to provide a comprehensive and informative overview of nanomaterial applications in pain management, stimulating innovative research and development within this field.

PMID:42238958 | PMC:PMC13227223 | DOI:10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103279