Carboxymethylated Gums and Derivatization: Strategies and Significance in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering

Gellan gum-based microbeads for Colon-targeted drug delivery: A promising polysaccharide for controlled and site-specific release

Targeting drug delivery to the colon presents significant challenges due to unfavorable pH conditions and enzymatic activity in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This obstacle can be overcome with colon-targeted microbeads, which have led to significant advancements in treating colonic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, as well as in achieving sustained delivery of macromolecules like peptides and proteins. Polysaccharide-based microbeads (MBs) formulated with gellan gum (GLG) offer a robust platform for controlled and site-specific drug release. GLG, a natural anionic polysaccharide, is renowned for its gelation properties in the presence of divalent cations, biocompatibility, and enzymatic degradability, making it ideal for colon-specific applications. In this review, we explored the potential of GLG-MBs for colon-targeted drug delivery and their physicochemical properties, drug release mechanisms, formulation strategies, therapeutic applications, methods for analytical characterizations, highlighting their advantages over conventional drug delivery, and target specificity towards the colonic disease. Furthermore, we discussed the significant limitations of GLG-MBs, such as burst release, processing, scaling up production, regulatory challenges, and clinical uniformity towards colonic environments. We explored the strategies to overcome key limitations in clinical translation, such as uniformity and regulatory hurdles. The review concludes by outlining the direction of advancing GLG-MBs, emphasizing their potential in achieving efficient and targeted drug delivery towards the colon.

Tamarind seed polymer-based formulations: advances and applications in biomedical science

Tamarind seed polymer has garnered significant attention in biomedical science due to its exceptional properties, like biocompatibility, biodegradability, and adaptability for drug delivery. Derived from tamarind seeds, tamarind gum, a natural polysaccharide, shows great potential as a gelling agent for controlled drug release. Its versatility makes it suitable for delivering both water-soluble and water-insoluble drugs. This opens up exciting opportunities in areas such as oral drug delivery, wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory treatments, and ophthalmic drug delivery. Tamarind seed-based formulations have the remarkable ability to modify drug release rates, enhance drug stability, and improve bioavailability, making them a promising option for advancing healthcare. This review delves into the advancements and ongoing research surrounding tamarind seed polymer systems, highlighting their diverse applications and untapped potential in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.

Neem gum and its derivatives as potential polymeric scaffold for diverse applications: a review

Naturally occurring polymers, particularly polysaccharides, are gaining significant attention for their eco-friendly, non-toxic nature and abundant availability. Neem Gum (NEG), a natural exudate from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), is secreted as a defense mechanism to protect against microbial invasion and physical damage. Unlike common polysaccharides, NEG exhibits a distinct composition rich in bioactive constituents, including heteropolysaccharides and secondary metabolites, contributing to its diverse functional and therapeutic potential. These unique characteristics make NEG a promising biopolymer for applications in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and environmental industries, where it serves as a binding, emulsifying, gelling, and stabilizing agent. Recent advancements have focused on developing NEG composites and derivatives with enhanced properties and broader applications. Structural modifications like grafting and carboxymethylation have improved its utility in drug delivery, wound healing, and biodegradable materials. Modified NEG derivatives exhibit superior antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, expanding their biomedical potential in tissue engineering and controlled drug release. NEG-based hydrogels and films show promise in eco-friendly packaging and self-healing biomaterials. This review compiles NEG's diverse applications, highlighting its role in sustainable technologies and emerging fields like self-healing materials and smart polymers. It addresses challenges in scaling production, regulatory compliance, and technical constraints.

Immunodetection of Poorly Soluble Substances: Limitations and Their Overcoming

Immunoassays based on the specific antigen-antibody interactions are efficient tools to detect various compounds and estimate their content. Usually, these assays are implemented in water-saline media with composition close to physiological conditions. However, many substances are insoluble or cannot be molecularly dispersed in such media, which objectively creates problems when interacting in aquatic environments. Thus, obtaining immunoreactants and implementing immunoassays of these substances need special methodological solutions. Hydrophobicity of antigens as well as their limited ability to functionalization and conjugation are often overlooked when developing immunoassays for these compounds. The main key finding is the possibility to influence the behavior of hydrophobic compounds for immunoassays, which requires specific approaches summarized in the review. Using the examples of two groups of compounds-surfactants (alkyl- and bisphenols) and fullerenes, we systematized the existing knowledge and experience in the development of immunoassays. This review addresses the challenges of immunodetection of poorly soluble substances and proposes solutions such as the use of hydrotropes, other solubilization techniques, and alternative receptors (aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers).

Nano-delivery Systems and Therapeutic Applications of Phytodrug Mangiferin

In order to cure a range of ailments, scientists have investigated a number of bioactive antioxidant compounds produced from natural sources. Mangiferin, a C-glycosyl xanthone-structured yellow polyphenol, is abundant in mangoes and other dietary sources. In-depth examinations found that it is effective in the treatment of a variety of disorders due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antigenotoxic, antiatherogenic, radioprotective, nephroprotective, antihyperlipidemic, and antidiabetic properties. However, it is recognised that mangiferin's poor bioavailability, volatility, and limited solubility restrict its therapeutic usefulness. Over time, effective solutions to these problems have arisen in the shape of effective delivery methods. The current articles present a summary of the several researches that have updated Mangiferin's biopharmaceutical characteristics. Additionally, strategies for enhancing the bioavailability, stability, and solubility of this phytodrug have been discussed. This review provides detailed information on the development of innovative Mangiferin delivery methods such as nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, niosomes, microspheres, metal nanoparticles, and complexation, as well as its therapeutic applications in a variety of sectors. This article provides effective guidance for researchers who desire to work on the formulation and development of an effective delivery method for improved magniferin therapeutic effectiveness.

pH-responsive IPN beads of carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a controlled release carrier for ibuprofen

The convergence of polymer and pharmaceutical sciences has advanced drug delivery systems significantly. Carbohydrate polymers, especially carboxymethylated ones, offer versatile benefits for pharmaceuticals. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) combine synthetic and natural polymers to enhance drug delivery. The study aims to develop IPN beads using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) and carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) for controlled release of ibuprofen (IB) after oral administration. Objectives include formulation optimization, characterization of physicochemical properties, evaluation of pH-dependent swelling and drug release behaviors to advance biocompatible and efficient oral drug delivery systems. The beads were analyzed using SEM, FTIR, DSC, and XRD techniques. Different ratio of polymers (CMKGM:SCMS) and crosslinker concentrations (2&4 %w/v) were used, significantly impacting bead size, swelling, drug encapsulation, and release characteristics. DSC results indicated higher thermal stability in IPN beads compared to native polymers. XRD revealed IB dispersion within the polymer matrix. IPN beads size ranged from 580 ± 0.56 to 324 ± 0.27 μm, with a nearly spherical shape. IPN beads exhibited continuous release in alkaline conditions (pH 7.4) and minimal release in acidic media (pH 1.2). These findings suggest that the formulated IPN beads can modulate drug release in both acidic and alkaline environments, potentially mitigating the gastric adverse effects often associated with oral administration of IB.

Co-administration of xylo-oligosaccharides produced by immobilized Aspergillus terreus xylanase with carbimazole to mitigate its adverse effects on the adrenal gland

Carbimazole has disadvantages on different body organs, especially the thyroid gland and, rarely, the adrenal glands. Most studies have not suggested any solution or medication for ameliorating the noxious effects of drugs on the glands. Our study focused on the production of xylooligosaccharide (XOS), which, when coadministered with carbimazole, relieves the toxic effects of the drug on the adrenal glands. In addition to accelerating the regeneration of adrenal gland cells, XOS significantly decreases the oxidative stress caused by obesity. This XOS produced by Aspergillus terreus xylanase was covalently immobilized using microbial Scleroglucan gel beads, which improved the immobilization yield, efficiency, and operational stability. Over a wide pH range (6-7.5), the covalent immobilization of xylanase on scleroglucan increased xylanase activity compared to that of its free form. Additionally, the reaction temperature was increased to 65 °C. However, the immobilized enzyme demonstrated superior thermal stability, sustaining 80.22% of its original activity at 60 °C for 120 min. Additionally, the full activity of the immobilized enzyme was sustained after 12 consecutive cycles, and the activity reached 78.33% after 18 cycles. After 41 days of storage at 4 °C, the immobilized enzyme was still active at approximately 98%. The immobilized enzyme has the capability to produce xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs). Subsequently, these XOSs can be coadministered alongside carbimazole to mitigate the adverse effects of the drug on the adrenal glands. In addition to accelerating the regeneration of adrenal gland cells, XOS significantly decreases the oxidative stress caused by obesity.

Recent updates on guar gum derivatives in colon specific drug delivery

Colon specific delivery of therapeutics have gained much attention of pharmaceutical researchers in the recent past. Colonic specific targeting of drugs is used not only for facilitating absorption of protein or peptide drugs, but also localization of therapeutic agents in colon to treat several colonic disorders. Among various biopolymers, guar gum (GG) exhibits pH dependent swelling, which allows colon specific release of drug. GG also shows microbial degradation in the colonic environment which makes it a suitable excipient for developing colon specific drug delivery systems. The uncontrolled swelling and hydration of GG can be controlled by structural modification or by grafting with another polymeric moiety. Several graft copolymerized guar gum derivatives are investigated for colon targeting of drugs. The efficacy of various guar gum derivatives are evaluated for colon specific delivery of drugs. The reviewed literature evidenced the potentiality of guar gum in localizing drugs in the colonic environment. This review focuses on the synthesis of several guar gum derivatives and their application in developing various colon specific drug delivery systems including matrix tablets, coated formulations, nano or microparticulate delivery systems and hydrogels.

Recent innovations (2020-2023) in the approaches for the chemical functionalization of curdlan and pullulan: A mini-review

Chemical modification represents a highly efficacious approach for enhancing the physicochemical characteristics and biological functionalities of natural polysaccharides. However, not all polysaccharides have considerable pharmacologic activity; so, appropriate chemical modification strategies can be selected in accordance with the distinct structural properties of polysaccharides to aid in improving and encouraging the presentation of their biological activities. Hence, there has been a growing interest in the chemical alteration of polysaccharides due to their various properties such as antioxidant, anticoagulant, antiviral, anticancer, biomedical, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of recent scientific advancements produced over the past four years in the realm of unique chemical and functional modifications in curdlan and pullulan structures. This review aims to provide readers with an overview of the structural activity correlations observed in the backbone structures of curdlan and pullulan, as well as the diverse chemical modification processes employed for these polysaccharides. Additionally, the review aims to examine the effects of combining various bioactive molecules with chemically modified curdlan and pullulan and explore their potential applications in various important fields.