Natural polysaccharides based self-assembled nanoparticles for biomedical applications – A review

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 192; pp. 1240 - 1255
• Main Authors: Fan, Yaqi, Liu, Yeqiang, Wu, Yang, Dai, Fangfang, Yuan, Mengqin, Wang, Feiyan, Bai, Yun, Deng, Hongbing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-12-2021
• Subjects: Biological Products - chemistry; Biotechnology - methods; Chemical Phenomena; Drug Development - methods; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Nanomedicine - methods; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Natural polysaccharides; Polysaccharides - chemistry; Self-assembly; Structure-Activity Relationship; EPL; Nanoparticle; EPR; CSM5-K5; DOCA; UA; DS; MTX; BSA; CMD; CLSM; mXG; CUR; OPNs; PFCs; PhA; ELPs; DOX; ASGPR; chitosan-SQ; Self-assembly; PGP; low-PAMAM; CD44; Ppa; NP; LP-g-G3P; HDC; SC; GA; ASP; PNIPAM; PDT; CG; Arg-PEA; ICG; OGE; PEC; CS; PEG; PLGA; Natural polysaccharides; PEI; Ce6; LA; DEX; NIR; NPCs; LbL; HA; TM; ALG; Gd; DC
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.074

In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) derived from the self-assembly of natural polysaccharides have shown great potential in the biomedical field. Here, we described several self-assembly modes of natural polysaccharides in detail, summarized the natural polysaccharides mostly used for self-assembly, and provided insights into the current applications and achievements of these self-assembled NPs. As one of the most widespread substances in nature, most natural polysaccharides exhibit advantages of biodegradability, low immunogenicity, low toxicity, and degradable properties. Therefore, they have been fully explored, and the application of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, starch, and their derivatives has been extensively studied, especially in the fields of biomedical. Polysaccharides based NPs were proved to improve the solubility of insoluble drugs, enhance tissue target ability and realize the controlled and sustained release of drugs. When modified by hydrophobic groups, the amphiphilic polysaccharides can self-assemble into NPs. Other driven forces of self-assembly include electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonds. Up to the present, polysaccharides-based nanoparticles have been widely applied for tumor treatment, antibacterial application, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and transporting insulin.
•Electrostatic force, hydrophobic force, and hydrogen bonding drive self-assembly of NPs.•Self-assembly is environmental-friendly, biocompatible, convenient, and low toxic.•Polysaccharides-based NPs improve pharmacokinetics and achieve targeted drugs delivery.•NPs used for accurate drug release, combination therapy and gene therapy are drawing attention.