Title:Application of Nanocellulose Derivatives as Drug Carriers; A Novel Approach in Drug Delivery
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 6
Author(s):Ali Khojastehfar and Soleiman Mahjoub*
Affiliation:Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol
Keywords:Nanocellulose, cellulose nanofibril, cellulose nanocrystal, bacterial cellulose, drug delivery, drug carriers.
Abstract:Background: The production of nanocellulose for drug delivery systems has achieved increased
attention in the past decade. High capacity for swelling and absorption of the liquid phase, high flexibility in
creating different derivatives, economical cost, and ease of access to the primary source, all of these properties
have encouraged researchers to use nanocellulose and its derivatives as a high-performance drug carrier.
Objective: The recent progress summary of cellulose-based nanocarriers designing and practical approaches in
drug delivery.
Methods: We conducted a literature review on the development of the nanocellulose and its derivatives as a
high-performance drug carrier.
Results: In this review, we have attempted to present the latest advances in cellulose modifications for the
design of pharmaceutical nanocarriers. At first, cellulose properties and structural classification of nanocellulose
were introduced. Then, focusing on medical applications, some efforts and laboratory trials in cellulose-based
nano designing were also discussed. The findings demonstrate the benefits of nanocellulose in drug delivery and
its potential for modifying by adding functional groups to enhance drug delivery efficiency. Due to the physical
and chemical properties of cellulose and its high flexibility to interact with other compounds, a broad
perspective can be imagined in the diverse research and novel forms of nanocarriers.
Conclusion: The cellulose nanocarriers can be considered as an attractive platform for researchers to design
new structures of pharmaceutical carriers and increase the efficiency of these nanocarriers in drug delivery for
the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
