Heparin-Tailored Biopolymeric Nanocarriers in Site-Specific Delivery: A Systematic Review

The combination of nanocarriers and biological molecules is of intense interest because of the synergistic properties offered by such newly synthesized composites. Heparin conjugated to nanomaterials has recently been investigated for its beneficial chemical and biological properties and its capacity to improve the biocompatibility of nanocarriers, increasing their performance in various biological applications. A variety of recent research combines heparin and nanomaterials for a myriad of uses. For example, heparin has been conjugated to the surface of magnetic and metallic nanoparticles, biodegradable and nondegradable synthetic polymers, nanocomposites, dendrimers, and the like. It has also been incorporated into nanocarriers. There are numerous possibilities for material composites and chemistries that incorporate heparin. These open the door for a range of novel applications, including improving anticoagulant activity, anticancer and antitubercular therapy, tissue engineering, and biosensors. This review examines the different possibilities of heparin-based nanocarriers and their medicinal or biological applications.