title: More good news about polymeric plant- and algae-derived biomaterials in drug delivery systems.
abstract: Natural polymers are continuously investigated for use in pharmaceutical and tissue engineering applications due to the renewability of their supply. Besides the conventional use of natural materials in dosage form design such as fillers, they are progressively investigated as functional excipients in specialised dosage forms. The hydrophilic nature of natural polymers together with their non-toxic and biodegradable properties make them useful in the design of modified release dosage forms. Matrix type tablets and beads made from natural gums and mucilages often exhibit sustained drug release through erosion in combination with swelling. Natural polymers are used to reach different pharmaceutical objectives, for instance, inulin and pectin are plant derived polymers that have suitable properties to produce colon-specific drug delivery. Alginate is an example of a natural polymer that has been used in the formulation of gastro-retentive dosage forms. Different cellulose derived polymers have been investigated as coating materials for dosage forms. Natural polymers can be chemically modified to produce molecules with specific properties and formation of co-polymers or polymer mixtures provide new opportunities to develop innovative drug delivery systems.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scholtz
authors.forename: Jaco
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van der Colff
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steenekamp
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stieger
authors.affiliation: North-West University, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. sias.hamman@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Josias
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamman
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001702:Biopharmaceutics; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001704:Biopolymers; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid