Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Utilizing β-Lactoglobulin: An Efficient Protein-Based Drug Carrier

Proteins have shown significant potential as carrier systems due to specific binding interactions with several drug molecules. Among several other animal proteins, whey protein (WP) is a by-product of the dairy industry, mainly composed of globular proteins. β-Lactoglobulin (BLG) is a major component of WP, which offers a unique functional property for drug delivery, such as thermal stability, binding interactions, favorable charge characteristics, and a spherical shape. Several drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been developed using BLG as a carrier, including nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanocomposites, nanoemulsions, solid dispersions, microparticles, and hydrogels. These delivery systems improve drug solubility, loading capacity, bioavailability, stability, and release rate and can provide targeted delivery. They have been employed in diverse applications, from treating cancer to enhancing oral drug delivery, reducing the toxicity of specific drugs, and offering controlled drug release. The future of BLG DDSs holds the promise of combination therapies, personalized medicine, and improved targeting precision. This review aims to discuss the role and utilization of BLG in several DDSs as a versatile carrier, revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. However, further research is expected to focus on optimizing degradation rates, enhancing biological compatibility, and addressing potential immune responses of BLG-based drug carriers.