Polysaccharides-based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008 Dec 14;60(15):1650-62. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2008.09.001. Epub 2008 Sep 17.

Abstract

Natural polysaccharides, due to their outstanding merits, have received more and more attention in the field of drug delivery systems. In particular, polysaccharides seem to be the most promising materials in the preparation of nanometeric carriers. This review relates to the newest developments in the preparation of polysaccharides-based nanoparticles. In this review, four mechanisms are introduced to prepare polysaccharides-based nanoparticles, that is, covalent crosslinking, ionic crosslinking, polyelectrolyte complex, and the self-assembly of hydrophobically modified polysaccharides.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Electrolytes
  • Polysaccharides