Recent progress of multifunctional nanocellulose-based pharmaceutical materials: A review

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biotechnology

Background:

• The pharmaceutical industry seeks novel drug formulations for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
• Innovative drug delivery systems are crucial for sustained drug release and disease management.
• Nanocellulose (NCs) offer unique properties like biocompatibility and high drug loading capacity for pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of emerging nanocellulose applications in the pharmaceutical sector.
• To discuss the synthesis of sustainable nanocellulose from various sources.
• To highlight key properties, advancements, challenges, and future perspectives of nanocellulose in pharmaceuticals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of nanocellulose synthesis, modification, and applications.
• Analysis of nanocellulose properties relevant to drug delivery.
• Discussion of life cycle analysis, biosafety, and ecotoxicology.

Main Results:

• Nanocellulose exhibits excellent biocompatibility, high surface area, and controlled drug release capabilities.
• Various sources and modification techniques enable sustainable nanocellulose production.
• Significant advancements have been made in nanocellulose-based drug delivery systems.

Conclusions:

• Nanocellulose holds significant potential for advanced pharmaceutical drug delivery systems.
• Addressing challenges in sustainable synthesis, scalability, and environmental impact is crucial for widespread adoption.
• Further research into life cycle assessment and biosafety will facilitate the clinical translation of nanocellulose-based therapeutics.