Carbohydrate biopolymer-based nanocomposites as strategic modality in addressing brain cancer

Nanocomposites are the emerging platforms for nanocarrier-based drug delivery due to their stable and scalable formulation characteristics. Generally, nanocomposites differ from conventional nanoparticulate materials due to their physico-chemical characteristics, targeting efficiency, distinctive design possibilities, environmental sustainability, etc. Further, carbohydrate biopolymer-based nanocomposites are now the recent buzz in nanocarrier-based drug delivery and hold a special position in designing/targeting nano-modalities against cancers. Among various biopolymers, carbohydrate biopolymers such as cellulose, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, dextran, etc., have been explored heavily over the past years in many biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cancer therapy. These carbohydrate biopolymers have also been used to design different kinds of nanocomposites for use in brain cancer therapy. The current review presents a comprehensive discussion of carbohydrate biopolymer-based nanocomposites with a special reference to their uses against brain cancer. Different carbohydrate biopolymer-based nanocomposites designed and investigated for brain cancer therapy and management have been discussed. Side by side, some light has been shed on the important challenges and prospects associated with carbohydrate biopolymer-based nanocomposites for drug targeting in brain cancer.