Nanoparticles Based on Plasma Proteins for Drug Delivery Applications

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Nanoparticulate delivery systems are crucial in pharmaceutical research for their stability, drug protection, and cellular penetration.
• Hemocompatibility and clearance half-life are key parameters for intravenous nanodelivery systems.
• Natural components like blood plasma proteins offer ideal biomaterials with long in vivo half-lives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review in vitro, in vivo, and clinical findings of nanocarriers derived from blood plasma proteins.
• To explore the potential of albumin, lipoproteins, fibrin/fibrinogen, and transferrin as nanocarrier components.
• To summarize the development and applications of plasma protein-based nanocarriers.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on plasma protein-based nanocarriers.
• Analysis of various bioactive molecules (anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-epileptic drugs, DNA) loaded into nanocarriers.
• Examination of preparation methods including desolvation, emulsification, nab-technology, and complexation.

Main Results:

• Human serum albumin is the most studied nanocarrier due to its biocompatibility and drug-binding capacity, with commercial products available.
• Low and high-density lipoproteins are emerging as hemocompatible lipid-protein vesicles.
• Significant research potential exists for exploring globulins, fibrinogen, and transferrin in nanocarrier formulations.

Conclusions:

• Plasma protein-based nanocarriers, particularly those using albumin, present novel treatment strategies for diseases like cancer and AIDS.
• Advances in nanotechnology are expanding the therapeutic applications of these biomaterials.
• Further research into less-explored plasma proteins can unlock new drug delivery possibilities.