Perspectives of Engineered Marine Derived Polymers for Biomedical Nanoparticles

Curr Pharm Des. 2016;22(19):2844-56. doi: 10.2174/1381612822666160217124735.

Abstract

Marine environment exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms which contains an abundant source of polysaccharides. As polymer matrix carriers, marine-based polymers possess several valuable properties including high stability, non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, biodegradability, with low production cost. Despite notable biological activities of these natural polymers, there are certain limitations in exploring their functions in applications of nano-sized drug delivery systems. The review aims to demonstrate exceptional characteristics of marine-based polymers including fucoidan, alginate, carrageenan, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and chitosan as well as provide perspectives of current publications on their nanoparticle formulations for biomedical applications.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biomedical Engineering*
  • Biomedical Research*
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polymers
  • Chondroitin Sulfates