Nanostructured Biopolymers for Application as Drug-Delivery Vehicles

Biopolymers are derived from natural sources and are abundant in nature. Biopolymers have received a great deal of attention in drug delivery compared with conventional polymers because they are nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and relatively cheap. The drug-delivery systems can be synthesized with controlled composition, morphology (shape, size), and functionality. The surface properties can be modified to enhance the solubility, immunocompatibility, and cellular uptake. The application of biomaterials in living systems would reduce immunological reactions and toxicity. Biomaterials with nano-scale organizations have been projected to tune release kinetics, regulate biodistribution, and reduce toxic side effects and thereby increase the therapeutic index of a given drug. In this chapter mainly nanostructured biopolymers based on proteins and polysaccharide are discussed.