Recent advances in the formulation and delivery applications of chitosan/fucoidan nanoparticles

In the last few years, marine polysaccharides have gained attention for their biological activities that are beneficial for several biomedical applications. Among them, chitosan and fucoidan are known for their biocompatibility, bioactivities, and biodegradability, making them desirable for drug delivery. Under suitable environmental conditions, chitosan can carry cationic charges and has a strong electrostatic interaction with the anionic fucoidan, leading to ionic crosslinking and resulting in a polyelectrolyte complex. Therefore, when used in combination as nanoparticles, various enhanced bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and cancer treatment have been reported with little toxicity. With further chemical and physical modifications, it can encompass several additional properties suitable for its applications. Particularly, chitosan/fucoidan nanoparticles have been used for creating a drug or bioactive compound delivery system that results in improved drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This review aims to present the recent advancements and applications of chitosan/fucoidan formulations and nanoparticles and their benefits in biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery applications.