Natural Polymers in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Chapter in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2021, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.The use of natural polymers for the release of drugs is attractive due to biodegradability, biocompatibility, inexpensive, chemically modifiable, in addition to secondary properties such as high swelling capacity, bioadhesion, offering positive electric charges, and stimulus-sensitive factors such as pH and temperature. The present work proposes a critical approach to the state of the art on the applications of natural polymers for the release of drugs, and the manufacture of nanoparticles, including advantages and limitations. We also address the vectorization analysis of nanoparticles elaborated with natural polymers, and we emphasize the application of nanoparticles for gene therapy. Finally, due to the nature of nanoparticle fabrication and disposition, we included a section called ¿Special requirements in the characterization of excipients and nanoparticles fabricated with natural polymers¿ aimed to recommend a physicochemical characterization that guarantees the adequate reproducibility of the formulations, one of the great paradigms in the development of nanoparticles elaborated with natural polymers. Finally, we present a section denominated ¿Nanotoxicology of natural polymers used in the pharmaceutical area.¿ We mention specific cases of the limitations in this type of excipient, although we also highlight new and better properties that can be exploited.

publication date

  • January 1, 2021