Biomedical applications for marine polysaccharides
In addition to providing targeted drug delivery, new pharmaceutical technologies aim to improve stability and bioavailability whilst simultaneously reducing side effects and toxicity. Biomaterials are increasingly being utilised as effective drug carriers due to their lack of toxicity, affordability and renewable supply.
The natural properties of marine polysaccharides, including their biocompatibility and biodegradability, make them highly attractive microcarriers for future drug delivery systems. A recently published review paper explores microparticle design using marine polysaccharides, including fucoidans, as drug carriers. The paper reviews current challenges, proposes a number of innovative solutions and highlights a future for marine polysaccharides as drug microcarriers.
The paper describes the use of fucospheres, micro drug-delivery systems utilising fucoidan and the addition of copolymers such as chitosan. It also notes the successful formulation of fucoidan microparticles for systems delivering the sustained release of antibiotic and antifungal agents. Amongst potential future applications for fucoidans are pulmonary drug-delivery systems for the treatment of tuberculosis, dermal applications for treating burns, and for microparticle coatings in some oncology therapies.
The full paper, ‘Contemporary Aspects of Designing Marine Polysaccharide Microparticles as Drug Carriers for Biomedical Application’, was published in the journal Pharmaceutics.