Protein based nanomedicine: Promising therapeutic modalities against inflammatory disorders

Abstract

The safe and targeted delivery of pharmaceutical formulations has relied extensively on synthetic chemistry and other physicochemical approaches. The research paradigm is now especially changing towards green (or environmentally friendly) approaches, and several biopolymer‐based nanocarriers are marked as emerging nanomedicine tools. These have been developed to overcome problems with conventional drug carriers, which induce severe side effects, especially due to non‐specificity with detrimental effects on non‐targeted normal healthy cells. In addition, the phagocytosis of classic nanoparticles (NPs) and their degradation associated with the formation of oxygen radicals by the immune system are significant barriers for drug delivery. In this regard, protein nanocarriers appear as a promising approach to escape unwanted immune reactions. Moreover, these protein‐based NPs are generally non‐toxic, biodegradable, and even cost‐effective. As a less appreciated advantage, the surface properties of proteins are easily modified. There are, however, several challenges and limiting choices to make when choosing the type of modification to enable effective drug delivery. Here, we shed light on the role of protein nanocarriers for enhancing the bioavailability of different anti‐inflammatory drugs, including better macrophage targeting and overcoming biological barriers. This insight helps one to understand their broad utility in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and bridges the gap between naturaltherapeutic products and nanotechnology‐based delivery approaches, creating perhaps an optimal blend to meet some of our most persistent healthcare problems.