Unsaturated and thiolated derivatives of polysaccharides as functional matrixes for tissue engineering and pharmacology: A review

Abstract

This review examines investigations into the functionalization of polysaccharides by substituents containing multiple (CC) bonds and thiol (SH) groups that are prone to (co)polymerization in the presence of thermal, redox and photoinitiators or Michael addition reactions. A comparative analysis of the approaches to grafting the mentioned substituents onto the polysaccharide macromolecules was conducted. The use of the modified polysaccharides for the design of the 3D structures, including for the development of the pore bearing matrixes of cells or scaffolds utilized in regenerative medicine was examined. These modified polymers were also examined toward the design of excipient matrixes in pharmacological compositions, including with controllable release of active pharmaceuticals, as wel as of antibacterial and antifungal agents and others. In addition, a few examples of the use of modified derivatives in other areas are given.

Keywords: Crosslinking; Grafting of double bonds; Pharmacology; Polysaccharides modification; Regenerative medicine; Thiols; ‘Click’-reactions.