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Multilayered materials based on biopolymers as drug delivery systems.
Carla Vilela1, Ana R P Figueiredo1, Armando J D Silvestre1
1a CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry , University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|August 5, 2016
Summary
Layer-by-layer (LbL) technology utilizes biopolymers to create advanced drug delivery systems. These biocompatible systems offer controlled release for toxic or fragile drugs, with future potential in theranostics and mass production.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Layer-by-layer (LbL) technology is a key method for developing drug delivery devices.
- LbL enables the creation of multilayered systems for controlled drug administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review focuses on recent research using LbL assemblies with biopolymers for drug delivery.
- It examines multilayered films and capsules for loading, protecting, and releasing drugs.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on LbL assemblies using polysaccharides, polypeptides, and proteins.
- Analysis of drug reservoirs in planar films and capsules.
Main Results:
- Biopolymer-based LbL systems are non-cytotoxic and biocompatible.
- These systems can effectively load, protect, and release high payloads of challenging drugs.
Conclusions:
- Significant R&D opportunities exist for smart drug delivery systems using LbL and biopolymers.
- Future directions include theranostic systems and scaling up for pharmaceutical production.
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