Abstract
Natural polymers are continuously investigated for use in pharmaceutical and tissue engineering applications due to the renewability of their supply. Besides the conventional use of natural materials in dosage form design such as fillers, they are progressively investigated as functional excipients in specialised dosage forms. The hydrophilic nature of natural polymers together with their non-toxic and biodegradable properties make them useful in the design of modified release dosage forms. Matrix type tablets and beads made from natural gums and mucilages often exhibit sustained drug release through erosion in combination with swelling. Natural polymers are used to reach different pharmaceutical objectives, for instance, inulin and pectin are plant derived polymers that have suitable properties to produce colon-specific drug delivery. Alginate is an example of a natural polymer that has been used in the formulation of gastro-retentive dosage forms. Different cellulose derived polymers have been investigated as coating materials for dosage forms. Natural polymers can be chemically modified to produce molecules with specific properties and formation of co-polymers or polymer mixtures provide new opportunities to develop innovative drug delivery systems.
Keywords: Algae, alginate, cellulose, drug delivery system, pectin, plant polymers, starch.
Current Drug Targets
Title:More Good News About Polymeric Plant- and Algae-Derived Biomaterials in Drug Delivery Systems
Volume: 15 Issue: 5
Author(s): Jacques Scholtz, Jaco Van der Colff, Jan Steenekamp, Nicole Stieger and Josias Hamman
Affiliation:
Keywords: Algae, alginate, cellulose, drug delivery system, pectin, plant polymers, starch.
Abstract: Natural polymers are continuously investigated for use in pharmaceutical and tissue engineering applications due to the renewability of their supply. Besides the conventional use of natural materials in dosage form design such as fillers, they are progressively investigated as functional excipients in specialised dosage forms. The hydrophilic nature of natural polymers together with their non-toxic and biodegradable properties make them useful in the design of modified release dosage forms. Matrix type tablets and beads made from natural gums and mucilages often exhibit sustained drug release through erosion in combination with swelling. Natural polymers are used to reach different pharmaceutical objectives, for instance, inulin and pectin are plant derived polymers that have suitable properties to produce colon-specific drug delivery. Alginate is an example of a natural polymer that has been used in the formulation of gastro-retentive dosage forms. Different cellulose derived polymers have been investigated as coating materials for dosage forms. Natural polymers can be chemically modified to produce molecules with specific properties and formation of co-polymers or polymer mixtures provide new opportunities to develop innovative drug delivery systems.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Scholtz Jacques, Colff Van der Jaco, Steenekamp Jan, Stieger Nicole and Hamman Josias, More Good News About Polymeric Plant- and Algae-Derived Biomaterials in Drug Delivery Systems, Current Drug Targets 2014; 15 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13894501113149990175
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13894501113149990175 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Drug-Targeted Approach with Polymer Nanocomposites for Improved Therapeutics
Polymer nanocomposites have been recognized as an advanced and cutting-edge technique in drug targeting administration. These materials combine the unique features of nanoparticles with the adaptability of polymers to produce highly personalized drug administration devices. Integrating nanoparticles containing pharmaceuticals into a polymer matrix enables researchers to regulate the rates at ...read more
RNA Molecules in the Treatment of Human Diseases
Messenger and non-coding RNAs, including long and small transcripts, are mediators of gene expression. Gene expression at the RNA level shows significant aberrations in human diseases, including cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Human transcripts serve either as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment response and/or therapy ...read more
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Interactions Between Probiotic Dairy Propionibacteria and the Intestinal Epithelium
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Chromogranin A and the Endothelial Barrier Function
Current Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Mammalian Target of Rapamycin: Prospects for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry New Devices for Endoscopic Treatments in Gastroenterology: A Narrative Review
Current Drug Metabolism Anti-Oxidative Stress and Beyond: Multiple Functions of the Protein Glutathionylation
Protein & Peptide Letters The Significant Role of Nutraceutical Compounds in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry ADDENDUM: Nutraceuticals for Protection and Healing of Gastrointestinal Mucosa. Romano M, Vitaglione P, Sellitto S, D’Argenio G. Curr Med Chem 2012, 19: 109-117.
Current Medicinal Chemistry Ability of Goat Milk to Modulate Healthy Human Peripheral Blood Lymphomonocyte and Polymorphonuclear Cell Function: In vitro Effects and Clinical Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel and Emerging Drugs for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Activity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Abscisic Acid: A Phytohormone and Mammalian Cytokine as Novel Pharmacon with Potential for Future Development into Clinical Applications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial [Hot topic: Natural Antioxidants and their Derivatives:Biology and Clinical Application (Guest Editors: Thea Magrone, Yoshio Kumazawa & Emilio Jirillo)]
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Association of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: Breast Cancer
Current Drug Therapy Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Transcriptional Regulation, Ex Vivo Expansion and Clinical Application
Current Molecular Medicine Criteria of Evidence to Move Potential Chemopreventive Agents into Late Phase Clinical Trials
Current Drug Targets Regulation of Angiogenesis by the Kallikrein-Kinin System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Animal Models of Carcinogenesis in Inflamed Colorectum: Potential Use in Chemoprevention Study
Current Drug Targets Development of a Radiolabeled Amlodipine Analog for L-type Calcium Channel Imaging
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s Disease and Molecular Chaperones: Current Knowledge and the Future of Chaperonotherapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Use of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as Therapeutic Agents for Inflammatory Diseases
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Microbiome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Role of Natural Products Against Microbial Pathogens
Current Medicinal Chemistry