title: Advances in the applications of polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles for novel drug delivery system.
abstract: Drug delivery technology is emerging as an interdisciplinary science aimed at improving human health. The controlled delivery of pharmacologically active agents to the specific site of action at the therapeutically optimal rate and dose regimen has been a major goal in designing drug delivery systems. Over the past few decades, there has been considerable interest in developing biodegradable drug carriers as effective drug delivery systems. Polymeric materials from natural sources play an important role in controlled release of drug at a particular site. Polyhydroxyalkanoates, due to their origin from natural sources, are given attention as candidates for drug delivery materials. Biodegradable and biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear polyesters produced by microorganisms under unbalanced growth conditions, which have emerged as potential polymers for use as biomedical materials for drug delivery due to their unique physiochemical and mechanical properties. This review summarizes many of the key findings in the applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates and polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles for drug delivery system.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences and Resources & Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 446-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrivastav
authors.forename: Hae-Yeong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Rok
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates