Technologies and Formulation Design of Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Abstract

<jats:p>Polysaccharide-based hydrogel particles (PbHPs) are very promising carriers aiming to control and target the release of drugs with different physico-chemical properties. Such delivery systems can offer benefits through the proper encapsulation of many drugs (non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, etc) ensuring their proper release and targeting. This review discusses the different phases involved in the production of PbHPs in pharmaceutical technology, such as droplet formation (SOL phase), sol-gel transition of the droplets (GEL phase) and drying, as well as the different methods available for droplet production with a special focus on prilling technique. In addition, an overview of the various droplet gelation methods with particular emphasis on ionic cross-linking of several polysaccharides enabling the formation of particles with inner highly porous network or nanofibrillar structure is given. Moreover, a detailed survey of the different inner texture, in xerogels, cryogels or aerogels, each with specific arrangement and properties, which can be obtained with different drying methods, is presented. Various case studies are reported to highlight the most appropriate application of such systems in pharmaceutical field. We also describe the challenges to be faced for the breakthrough towards clinic studies and, finally, the market, focusing on the useful approach of safety-by-design (SbD).</jats:p>

Recent Progress in Polysaccharide Aerogels: Their Synthesis, Application, and Future Outlook

“…Furthermore, the outstanding characteristics of polysaccharides, including their biocompatibility and pH-responsive behavior, make them good candidates for the drug delivery application [ 119 ]. In addition, the pore size of the polysaccharide aerogel can be adjusted for drug storage [ 120 ] while sufficient resistance to shrinkage and collapse (depending on the drying process) allows it to maintain the pore structure [ 121 ]. Cellulose is one of the most popular polysaccharides for biomedical applications because it is the most abundant biopolymer in nature and is biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic.…”

Alginate-, Carboxymethyl Cellulose-, and κ-Carrageenan-Based Microparticles as Storage Vehicles for Cranberry Extract

“…Polysaccharides may be employed to fabricate effective carriers designed to deliver and release drugs in a rate-controlled and targeted manner, i.e., to enhance the bioavailability of active agents. This property is attributed to the easy functionalization of carbohydrates, and their physicochemical properties are easily tunable in terms of usage in multiple pharmaceutical dosage forms, such as drug delivery systems (DDSs), in the form of hydrogel particles for oral, intranasal, intrapulmonary, and intravenous administration [ 2 ]. Polysaccharides prevent uncontrolled mass transfer between the pharmaceutical formulation and its surroundings and form a protective barrier, which improves the stability of the pharmaceutical and extends its shelf life [ 3 ].…”

Cryostructuring of Polymeric Systems. 55. Retrospective View on the More than 40 Years of Studies Performed in the A.N.Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds with Respect of the Cryostructuring Processes in Polymeric Systems

“…In addition, when the preparation of this paper was virtually finished, several new reviews were published. These articles are related to various aspects of the preparation and properties of the diverse polymeric cryogels and cryostructurates, as well as to their application in such fields as materials science [ 414 , 415 , 416 ], biomedical technologies [ 417 , 418 , 419 , 420 , 421 ], biotechnology [ 422 , 423 ], food processing [ 424 ], and ecological problems and construction engineering [ 425 ]. Thus, such permanent publishing activity once again testifies to the undiminishing interest for the cryostructuring topic.…”