Study on the stability and cellular affinity of gelatin-polysaccharide composite films

Collagen/gelatin and polysaccharide complexes enhance gastric retention and mucoadhesive properties

This article has focused on collagen-gelatin, the gelation process, as well as blend interaction between collagen/gelatin with various polysaccharides to boost mucoadhesion and gastric retention. The interaction between mucoadhesive materials and mucin layers is of significant interest in the development of drug delivery systems and biomedical applications for effective targeting and prolonged time in the gastrointestinal tract. This paper reviews the current advancement and mucoadhesive properties of collagen/gelatin and different polysaccharide complexes concerning the mucin layer and interactions are briefly highlighted. Collagen/gelatin and polysaccharide blends biocompatible and biodegradable, the complex biomolecules have shown encouraging mucoadhesive properties due to their cationic nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds with mucin glycoproteins. The mucoadhesion mechanism was attributed to the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged amino (NH2) groups of blend biopolymers and the negatively charged sialic acid residues present in mucin glycoprotein. At the end of this article, the encouraging prospect of collagen/polysaccharide complex and mucin glycoprotein is highlighted.

A review: Gelatine as a bioadhesive material for medical and pharmaceutical applications

Bioadhesive polymers offer versatility to medical and pharmaceutical inventions. The incorporation of such materials to conventional dosage forms or medical devices may confer or improve the adhesivity of the bioadhesive systems, subsequently prolonging their residence time at the site of absorption or action and providing sustained release of actives with improved bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. For decades, much focus has been put on scientific works to replace synthetic polymers with biopolymers with desirable functional properties. Gelatine has been considered one of the most promising biopolymers. Despite its biodegradability, biocompatibility and unique biological properties, gelatine exhibits poor mechanical and adhesive properties, limiting its end-use applications. The chemical modification and blending of gelatine with other biomaterials are strategies proposed to improve its bioadhesivity. Here we discuss the classical approaches involving a variety of polymer blends and composite systems containing gelatine, and gelatine modifications via thiolation, methacrylation, catechol conjugation, amination and other newly devised strategies. We highlight several of the latest studies on these strategies and their relevant findings.