Significant role of cationic polymers in drug delivery systems

Abstract

Cationic polymers are characterized as the macromolecules that possess positive charges, which can be either inherently in the polymer side chains and/or its backbone. Based on their origins, cationic polymers are divided in two category including natural and synthetic, in which the possessed positive charges are as result of primary, secondary or tertiary amine functional groups that could be protonated in particular situations. Cationic polymers have been employed commonly as drug delivery agents due to their superior encapsulation efficacy, enhanced bioavailability, low toxicity and improved release profile. In this paper, we focus on the most prominent examples of cationic polymers which have been revealed to be applicable in drug delivery systems and we also discuss their general synthesis and surface modification methods as well as their controlled release profile in drug delivery.

Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to Solid Tumors

“…Cationic nanoparticles are of immense potential as drug delivery systems because of their strong interaction with negatively-charged genetic material and their ability to bind to cell surfaces. They allow loading of genetic materials which cannot cross cell membranes and ensure effective cell uptake through endocytosis ( Farshbaf et al, 2018 ). Thus, polymeric nanoparticles can be non-viral vectors for gene delivery with high transfection efficiency ( Cosco et al, 2014 , 2015 ; Wen et al, 2018 ).…”

Synthesis, identification and application of the novel metal-organic framework Fe 3 O 4 @PAA@ZIF-8 for the drug delivery of ciprofloxacin and investigation of antibacterial activity

“…For this reason, the system is called a targeted drug delivery system. The basis of this system is the insertion of some of the desired drug into the carrier, which carries the drug into the target tissue and begins to release after it is placed in the intended place [1][2][3]. Over the past few years, numerous compounds have been investigated, such as micelles [4], liposomes [5], grapheme [6] and hydrogels [7] as drug carriers, which have some disadvantages and advantages.…”

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