Natural Macromolecules as Building Blocks for Microcapsule Formation in Drug Delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microcapsules are particles with a core active substance and a polymer shell, finding applications beyond pharmaceuticals.
• Natural macromolecules are increasingly favored for microcapsule shells due to favorable properties like biocompatibility and biodegradability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review microcapsules, common microencapsulation methods, natural polymers for shells, and their pharmaceutical applications.
• To highlight the advantages of natural polymers in drug delivery systems.

Main Methods:

• Overview of physical methods including spray drying, spray cooling, solvent evaporation, spray coating, and freeze drying.
• Inclusion of physicochemical methods such as coacervation for microencapsulation.

Main Results:

• Microcapsules improve drug bioavailability, prolong release, offer protection, enable targeted delivery, and mask taste/odor.
• Natural polymers (polysaccharides, proteins) are effective in oral, topical, transdermal, pulmonary, and colon-targeted delivery.
• Successful application in delivering peptides, proteins, probiotics, and vaccines.

Conclusions:

• The choice of microencapsulation technique is crucial and depends on polymer and core material properties.
• Natural polymers are versatile pharmaceutical excipients offering biocompatibility, biodegradability, safety, and mucoadhesive properties.
• These polymers facilitate controlled and targeted drug delivery, showing great potential for advanced systems.