Inulin, a flexible oligosaccharide. II: Review of its pharmaceutical applications

Maarten A Mensink; Henderik W Frijlink; Kees van der Voort Maarschalk; Wouter L J Hinrichs

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.08.022

Inulin, a flexible oligosaccharide. II: Review of its pharmaceutical applications

Carbohydr Polym. 2015 Dec 10:134:418-28. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.08.022. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

Authors

Maarten A Mensink¹, Henderik W Frijlink¹, Kees van der Voort Maarschalk², Wouter L J Hinrichs³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; Process Technology, Corbion Purac, PO Box 21, 4200 AA Gorinchem, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: W.L.J.Hinrichs@rug.nl.

PMID: 26428143
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.08.022

Abstract

Inulin is a flexible oligosaccharide which has been used primarily in food for decades. Recently new applications in the pharmaceutical arena were described. In a previous review (Mensink et al. (2015). Carbohydrate Polymers, 130, 405) we described the physicochemical characteristics of inulin, characteristics which make inulin a highly versatile substance. Here, we review its pharmaceutical applications. Applications of inulin that are addressed are stabilization of proteins, modified drug delivery (dissolution rate enhancement and drug targeting), and lastly physiological and disease-modifying effects of inulin. Further uses of inulin include colon specific drug administration and stabilizing and adjuvating vaccine formulations. Overall, the uses of inulin in the pharmaceutical area are very diverse and research is still continuing, particularly with chemically modified inulins. It is therefore likely that even more applications will be found for this flexible oligosaccharide.

Keywords: Anhydrobiosis; Excipient; Formulation; Fructan; Stabilizer; Vaccines.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Drug Carriers* / chemistry
Drug Carriers* / pharmacology
Humans
Inulin* / chemistry
Inulin* / pharmacology
Oligosaccharides* / chemistry
Oligosaccharides* / pharmacology

Substances

Drug Carriers
Oligosaccharides
Inulin