Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles for Controlled Release Formulations

Overviews on the cellular uptake mechanism of polysaccharide colloidal nanoparticles

“…A wide range of ligands are available as a basis to improve targeted drug/gene delivery. The use of a specific ligand depends on several different parameters including the nature of target cell, the material used in the formulation of nanoparticles and the chemistry available for conjugating ligands to the nanoparticle surface .…”

“…They are random and heterogeneous moieties in terms of chemical composition and molecular mass and can be subdivided as high methoxy (HM), low methoxy (LM) and amidated pectins . Pectins remain intact through the stomach and small intestine, while they are degraded by pectinolytic enzymes secreted from bacteria present in the large intestine; therefore, pectin has long been emerged for development of biodegradable carriers for colon‐targeted drug delivery or local treatment of a variety of diseases such as colitis, Crohn's disease and colon carcinomas .…”

“…Among natural polymers, proteins and polysaccharides tend to be associated with cells, rapidly internalized and degraded, thus enabling the intracellular release of the incorporated drug/gene from the transporter . As the use of polysaccharide‐based nanoparticles becomes more prevalent, it is necessary to address the interaction and uptake of this class of delivery vehicles by cellular systems .…”

Natural Polysaccharide based Nanoparticles for Drug/Gene Deliv­ery

“…Upon the mentioned properties, pectin based delivery systems would be suitable for protecting the protein and polypeptide based drugs to be passed through the gastrointestinal tract until they reach the large intestine. 73,74 However, the high hydrophilic nature of pectin may limit the ability of pectin based delivery systems in the protection of loaded drug along the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the discovery of pectin derivatives with low water solubility must be focused in future studies.…”

“…Thus, the discovery of pectin derivatives with low water solubility must be focused in future studies. 73 For example, this problem can be bypassed by increasing the thickness of the coating polymers, inactivation of proteases, application of crosslinking calcium ions, and incorporation of the physical layers that separate drug-pectin. 75 The classification of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles used as carriers for the drug delivery has been summarized in Table 2.…”