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Polysaccharide drug delivery systems based on pectin and chitosan
Gordon Morris1, Samil Kök, Stephen Harding
1NCMH Laboratory, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Reviews
|March 19, 2011
Summary
Chitosans and pectins are natural polysaccharides with significant drug delivery potential. Their unique physicochemical properties, like chitosan
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Chitosans are polycationic polysaccharides derived from poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, crucial for mucoadhesion in drug delivery.
- Pectins, composed of homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan (RG-I) regions, offer unique properties based on methyl esterification.
- Low methoxyl (LM) pectins can form calcium-ion gels, beneficial for applications like nasal drug delivery formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the physicochemical properties of chitosans and pectins.
- To discuss their current and potential applications in advanced drug delivery systems.
- To highlight how their properties enable effective mucoadhesion and encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of physicochemical properties of chitosans and pectins.
- Analysis of chitosan's polycationic nature and its role in mucoadhesion.
- Examination of pectin's structural elements (HG, RG-I) and methyl esterification degrees (DM).
Main Results:
- Chitosan's positive charge facilitates strong mucoadhesion for drug delivery.
- Chitosan nanoparticles can be formed for encapsulating active compounds.
- LM pectins' ability to gel with calcium ions presents opportunities for specialized formulations.
Conclusions:
- Chitosans and pectins possess distinct physicochemical characteristics that make them highly suitable for drug delivery.
- Their properties enable versatile applications, including mucoadhesive systems, nanoparticle encapsulation, and ion-gated gels.
- Further research into these natural polysaccharides can unlock novel drug delivery strategies.
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