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Journal ArticleDOI

Carrageenan: A Wonder Polymer from Marine Algae for Potential Drug Delivery Applications

TL;DR: Carrageenans are establishing their worth recently as potential drug carriers owing to their varied range of properties and the constraint of low mechanical strength of reversible gels can be easily eradicated using chemical crosslinking techniques.
Abstract: Background With the advancement in the field of medical science, the idea of sustained release of the therapeutic agents in the patient's body has remained a major thrust for developing advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs). The critical requirement for fabricating these DDSs is to facilitate the delivery of their cargos in a spatio-temporal and pharmacokinetically-controlled manner. Albeit the synthetic polymer-based DDSs normally address the above-mentioned conditions, their potential cytotoxicity and high cost have ultimately constrained their success. Consequently, the utilization of natural polymers for the fabrication of tunable DDSs owing to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic nature can be regarded as a significant stride in the field of drug delivery. Marine environment serves as an untapped resource of varied range of materials such as polysaccharides, which can easily be utilized for developing various DDSs. Methods Carrageenans are the sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from the cell wall of red seaweeds. They exhibit an assimilation of various biological activities such as anti-thrombotic, anti-viral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. The main aim of the presented review is threefold. The first one is to describe the unique physicochemical properties and structural composition of different types of carrageenans. The second is to illustrate the preparation methods of the different carrageenan-based macro- and micro-dimensional DDSs like hydrogels, microparticles, and microspheres respectively. Fabrication techniques of some advanced DDSs such as floating hydrogels, aerogels, and 3-D printed hydrogels have also been discussed in this review. Next, considerable attention has been paid to list down the recent applications of carrageenan-based polymeric architectures in the field of drug delivery. Results Presence of structural variations among the different carrageenan types helps in regulating their temperature and ion-dependent sol-to-gel transition behavior. The constraint of low mechanical strength of reversible gels can be easily eradicated using chemical crosslinking techniques. Carrageenan based-microdimesional DDSs (e.g. microspheres, microparticles) can be utilized for easy and controlled drug administration. Moreover, carrageenans can be fabricated as 3-D printed hydrogels, floating hydrogels, and aerogels for controlled drug delivery applications. Conclusion In order to address the problems associated with many of the available DDSs, carrageenans are establishing their worth recently as potential drug carriers owing to their varied range of properties. Different architectures of carrageenans are currently being explored as advanced DDSs. In the near future, translation of carrageenan-based advanced DDSs in the clinical applications seems inevitable.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of antiviral properties of carrageenan in relation to the processing conditions, particularly those assisted by intensification technologies during the extraction stage, and discusses the possibility of further chemical modifications.
Abstract: Carrageenan and carrageenan oligosaccharides are red seaweed sulfated carbohydrates with well-known antiviral properties, mainly through the blocking of the viral attachment stage. They also exhibit other interesting biological properties and can be used to prepare different drug delivery systems for controlled administration. The most active forms are λ-, ι-, and κ-carrageenans, the degree and sulfation position being determined in their properties. They can be obtained from sustainable worldwide available resources and the influence of manufacturing on composition, structure, and antiviral properties should be considered. This review presents a survey of the antiviral properties of carrageenan in relation to the processing conditions, particularly those assisted by intensification technologies during the extraction stage, and discusses the possibility of further chemical modifications.

19 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
13 Sep 2021-Viruses
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the recent antiviral studies of the marine algae-based polysaccharides and their potential towards antiviral medicines and focus on their potential in future biomedical applications and drug development.
Abstract: Over the decades, the world has witnessed diverse virus associated pandemics. The significant inhibitory effects of marine sulfated polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2 shows its therapeutic potential in future biomedical applications and drug development. Algal polysaccharides exhibited significant role in antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidative, antiviral, anticoagulant, antihepatotoxic and immunomodulating activities. Owing to their health benefits, the sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae are a great deal of interest globally. Algal polysaccharides such as agar, alginate, carrageenans, porphyran, fucoidan, laminaran and ulvans are investigated for their nutraceutical potential at different stages of infection processes, structural diversity, complexity and mechanism of action. In this review, we focus on the recent antiviral studies of the marine algae-based polysaccharides and their potential towards antiviral medicines.

18 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a perspective assessment of the preparation methods, characterization techniques, and targeted applications of biopolymer-based hydrogels at macro and micro/nano scales is presented.

15 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of heating temperature during a non-isothermal heating profile up to temperatures in the range 70-190 °C was studied to evaluate the extraction yields and properties of the carrageenan fraction.

14 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Starch/CRG microparticles exhibited a propensity to be captured by macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, as well as an ability to activate the target cells, thus providing a platform for drug delivery in the context of macrophage intracellular diseases.
Abstract: Macrophages have unique surface receptors that might recognize preferentially several moieties present on the surface of infecting organisms, including in the bacterial cell wall Benefiting from a similar composition regarding the referred moieties, polysaccharides might be good candidates to compose the matrix of drug carriers aimed at macrophage targeting, as they can use the same recognition pathways of the infecting organisms Carrageenan (CRG), a polysaccharide extracted from red edible seaweed, is an interesting possibility for the approach of directly targeting alveolar macrophages, as its composition is reported to be recognized by several macrophage lectin receptors Inhalable starch/CRG microparticles were successfully produced, effectively associating isoniazid (96%) and rifabutin (74%) simultaneously Furthermore, the produced microparticles presented adequate aerodynamic properties for pulmonary delivery with potential to reach the respiratory zone, with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) between 33 and 39 μm It was further demonstrated that the antitubercular activity of the drugs remained unchanged after encapsulation The formulation evidenced no cytotoxic effects on lung epithelial cells (A549), although mild toxicity was observed on macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells for the drug-loaded formulation Starch/CRG microparticles also exhibited a propensity to be captured by macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, as well as an ability to activate the target cells This work provides indications on the potential of the starch/CRG carriers to interact with macrophages, thus providing a platform for drug delivery in the context of macrophage intracellular diseases Additionally, if tuberculosis is focused, these microparticles can be used as inhalable drug carriers

10 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Zonghua Liu1, Yanpeng Jiao1, Wang Yifei1, Changren Zhou1, Ziyong Zhang1 
TL;DR: In this review, four mechanisms are introduced to prepare polysaccharides-based nanoparticles, that is, covalent crosslinking, ionic crossl linking, polyelectrolyte complex, and the self-assembly of hydrophobically modified poly Saccharides.

1,508 citations

BookDOI
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: The CRC Emulsifying Biopolymer (CRCRBP) as mentioned in this paper is an emulsifying biopolymer that can be used for coating and adhesives of soybeans.
Abstract: Introduction. Agar. Starch. Gelatin. Carrageenan. Xanthum Gum. Gellan Gum. Gallactomannans. Gum Arabic. Pectins. Milk Proteins. Cellulosis. Tragacanth and Karaya. Xyloglucan. Curdlan. Glucans. Soluble Soybean Polysaccharide. Bacterial Cellulose. Microcrystalline Cellulose. Gums for Coating and Adhesives.Chitosan Hydrogels. Alginates. Frutafit-Inulin. The CRC Emulsifying Biopolymer.

1,290 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review describes important aspects of carrageenans related to their industrial/therapeutic applications, physicochemical properties and structural analysis and indicates that these polysaccharides may offer some protection against HIV infection.

986 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present paper will provide an update on the structural chemistry of the major sulfated polysaccharides synthesized by seaweeds including the galactans, ulvans, and fucans and the recent findings on the anticoagulant/antithrombotic, antiviral, immuno-inflammatory, antilipidemic and antioxidant activities of sulfated Polysaccharide and their potential for therapeutic application.
Abstract: Sulfated polysaccharides and their lower molecular weight oligosaccharide derivatives from marine macroalgae have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. The present paper will review the recent progress in research on the structural chemistry and the bioactivities of these marine algal biomaterials. In particular, it will provide an update on the structural chemistry of the major sulfated polysaccharides synthesized by seaweeds including the galactans (e.g., agarans and carrageenans), ulvans, and fucans. It will then review the recent findings on the anticoagulant/antithrombotic, antiviral, immuno-inflammatory, antilipidemic and antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides and their potential for therapeutic application.

834 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Carrageenan is a natural carbohydrate (polysaccharide) obtained from edible red seaweeds derived from the Chondrus crispus species of seaweed known as Carrageen Moss or Irish Moss in England, and Carraigin in Ireland.
Abstract: Carrageenan is a natural carbohydrate (polysaccharide) obtained from edible red seaweeds. The name Carrageenan is derived from the Chondrus crispus species of seaweed known as Carrageen Moss or Irish Moss in England, and Carraigin in Ireland. Carraigin has been used in Ireland since 400 AD as a gelatin and as a home remedy to cure coughs and colds. It grows along the coasts of North America and Europe. Carrageenans are used in a variety of commercial applications as gelling, thickening, and stabilising agents, especially in food products and sauces. Aside from these functions, carrageenans are used in experimental medicine, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

664 citations

Trending Questions (1)
Why is carrageenan called a polimer?

Carrageenan is called a polymer because it is a type of sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the cell wall of red seaweeds, which are known for their polymer-like structure.