Alginate Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Targeting

Abstract

Nanotechnology refers to the control, manipulation, study and manufacture of structures and devices at the nanometer size range. The small size, customized surface, improved solubility and multi-functionality of nanoparticles will continue to create new biomedical applications, as nanoparticles allow to dominate stability, solubility and bioavailability, as well controlled release of drugs. The type of a nanoparticle, and its related chemical, physical and morphological properties influence its interaction with living cells, as well as determine the route of clearance and possible toxic effects. This field requires cross-disciplinary research and gives opportunities to design and develop multifunctional devices, which allow the diagnosis and treatment of devastating diseases. Over the past few decades, biodegradable polymers have been studied for the fabrication of drug delivery systems. There was extensive development of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery and tissue engineering, in view of their applications in controlling the release of drugs, stabilizing labile molecules from degradation and site-specific drug targeting. The primary aim is to reduce dosing frequency and prolong the therapeutic outcomes. For this purpose, inert excipients should be selected, being biopolymers, e.g. sodium alginate, commonly used in controlled drug delivery. Nanoparticles composed of alginate (known as anionic polysaccharide widely distributed in the cell walls of brown algae which, when in contact with water, forms a viscous gum) have emerged as one of the most extensively characterized biomaterials used for drug delivery and targeting a set of administration routes. Their advantages include not only the versatile physicochemical properties, which allow chemical modifications for site-specific targeting but also their biocompatibility and biodegradation profiles, as well as mucoadhesiveness. Furthermore, mechanical strength, gelation, and cell affinity can be modulated by combining alginate nanoparticles with other polymers, surface tailoring using specific targeting moieties and by chemical or physical cross-linking. However, for every physicochemical modification in the macromolecule/ nanoparticles, a new toxicological profile may be obtained. In this paper, the different aspects related to the use of alginate nanoparticles for drug delivery and targeting have been revised, as well as how their toxicological profile will determine the therapeutic outcome of the drug delivery system.

Silver Nanoparticles-Composing Alginate/Gelatine Hydrogel Improves Wound Healing In Vivo

“…The dressings should be flexible enough to allow adherence to the skin/tissue to be treated for a prolonged period, offering more comfort and convenience to the patient [32]. The formation of strong intermolecular interactions between sodium alginate and positively charged polymers is responsible for the increased consistency, including hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attractions that occur at higher concentrations of both polymers [7,28]. According to Li et al, the interaction between alginate and gelatin occurs due to the presence of amino and carboxyl ionizable groups, as well as hydrogen interactions formed by the functional carboxylic and hydroxyl group [9].…”

“…Biopolymers, such as sodium alginate and gelatin, are interesting materials for wound healing because they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and bioabsorbable [6]. Sodium alginate is a natural polymer derived from brown algae Phaeophyta, formed by monomers of residues of L-guluronic acid and D-mannuronic present in the cell wall and intercellular space [7]. Gelatin is a protein derived from the denaturation of collagen, obtained from the skin and bones of animals.…”

Nanopharmaceutics: Part II—Production Scales and Clinically Compliant Production Methods

“…Polymeric nanoparticles can be obtained from natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic polymers (e.g., chitosan [37][38][39], polylactic acid (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) [40][41][42][43]), which will then govern the way the drugs are encapsulated inside the matrix (dissolved or dispersed) or attached onto the nanoparticle' surface (chemically bound or adsorbed), and how the drug is released [44]. Polymeric nanoparticles can be produced with a variety of sizes and shapes, with high drug payload for both hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules, can be surface-modified to increase the plasma half-life (e.g., PEGylation [45,46]) to have site-specific targeted delivery [47], and release the drug in a controlled fashion [48][49][50].…”

An Updated Overview on Nanonutraceuticals: Focus on Nanoprebiotics and Nanoprobiotics

“…Among polysaccharides, chitosan [33][34][35][36][37] and alginate [33,38,39], have been frequently used in the production of nanoparticles for oral delivery. Being a mucoadhesive polysaccharide, chitosan is able to increase cellular permeability and improves the bioavailability of orally administered drugs and proteins.…”