Marine Biopolymers: A Versatile Key Player in the Development of Drug Delivery Systems in Pharmaceuticals
Sahil Dhiman, Hitesh Malhotra, Deepak Singla, Anjali SharmaIntroduction:
Marine biopolymers are macromolecules that are present in the marine environment. These can be derived from fish, microorganisms, algae, seaweed, etc. These polymers have inherent characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustainability, and biological activity, making them superior to synthetic polymers in use. The structure of these polymers enables the design of controlled, sustained-release drug delivery systems (Drug delivery systems), thereby enhancing biological effects. Other properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, and wound-healing, make these polymers a viable alternative to synthetic polymers. The future of marine biopolymers lies in advanced pharmaceuticals such as stimuliresponsive, targeted delivery, and personalised medicines.
Methods:
To identify recent work on these polymers, data were collected from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and other sources. Only articles that included applications of marine biopolymers in Drug delivery systems, along with extraction and modification, were selected. The data were collected primarily from experiment-based articles that included strategies for formulation development.
Results:
Marine polymers have been widely used in the formulation of Drug delivery systems, as evidenced by various studies. Hydrogels, microcapsules, microneedles, nanoparticles, mucoadhesive systems, and polymeric films are examples of Drug delivery systems prepared successfully using these polymers. Some of the properties shown by marine polymers are: chitosan (CS) mucoadhesion and pH-sensitivity; alginate (Alg) controlled release and good encapsulation; fucoidan (FC) and carrageenan (CG) enhanced bioactivity. Many formulations containing ulvan (UL) helped in cell growth. Modifications to the chemical structure of the polymers enhanced performance and expanded their applications.
Discussion:
With a vast area of sources and diversity, marine polymers could be very useful in the upcoming era of Drug delivery systems. With the help of these polymers, drug delivery systems with many advantages, such as targeting, sustained release, and stimuli-responsive, can be made. Variability in extraction methods and methods for standardization are some of the challenges faced by scientists.
Conclusion:
The efficiency of advanced drug delivery systems can be enhanced by using marine biopolymers. As these are natural and have little or no adverse effects on the body, they can replace synthetic polymers. Another advantage of using marine biopolymers is that they also exhibit biological activities that enhance the overall activity of the delivery system. Further research is needed on extraction and purification methods, and the lack of clinical trials is also a challenge.