Biomedical applications of polysaccharide nanoparticles in kidney diseases: A review

Kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem, with rising rates of incidence and death. Current treatments have limitations such as limited effectiveness, significant side effects, and an inability to stop disease progression. Natural polysaccharides, which have excellent biocompatibility, abundant sources, and natural biological activities like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, show promising potential in diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. However, pure polysaccharides face issues like low stability and poor tissue targeting. Polysaccharide nanoparticles, created by combining polysaccharides with nanotechnology, keep the biocompatibility and natural bioactivities of polysaccharides while also offering targeted delivery and controlled release through nanoparticles, leading to a synergistic effect. This review systematically examines the main features of polysaccharide nanoparticles, discusses their synthesis methods, such as self-assembly and ionic gelation, and explores their mechanisms for diagnosing (e.g., contrast imaging, biomarker detection) and treating (including acute kidney injury, diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, etc.) kidney diseases. It highlights the potential of polysaccharide nanoparticles as a multifunctional platform for precise intervention, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical application.