Use of β-Glucans for Drug Delivery Applications

Abstract

β(1-3)-D-Glucans are a structurally varied class of polysaccharides that have been long studied for their immunomodulatory and physical properties. In this review we focus on the work intersecting these two properties, the use of β(1-3)-D-glucans for drug delivery. Natural and chemically-modified β(1-3)-D-glucans have been used for drug delivery in many forms: 1) release of drugs from a glucan gel matrix, 2) in combination with other materials to form suitable drug delivery systems, 3) as carriers in drug formulations consisting of gels, tablets and ingestible films, 4) as soluble and particulate conjugates, and 5) and as soluble and particulate β(1-3)- D-glucans for encapsulation and delivery of macromolecules. The scope of this review is to summarize the significant developments using soluble and insoluble β(1-3)-D-glucans for drug delivery reported in the literature.

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