title: Pullulan and pullulan derivatives as promising biomolecules for drug and gene targeting.
abstract: Pullulan is a water soluble exo-polysaccharide produced by yeast like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. Pullulan structure have a unique characteristic i.e. co-existence of α-(1→4) and α-(1→6) linkages. Pullulan nanoparticle consists of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics which are due to its unique structure. It can be derivatized via various chemical reactions to increase its utility in the field of pharmaceuticals. Although, various drugs have the potential to become powerful therapeutic medicines, but their safe and targeted delivery to a specific site is a major challenge and rapidly growing area of research. Pullulan-drug conjugates can target infected cells/tissues and exhibit high bioactivity with the release of cytotoxic molecules. The pullulan conjugates can be used for targeted drug delivery as well as targeted gene delivery for the treatment of various diseases in liver, lungs, brain, spleen, etc. In this review, the applications of pullulan and its derivatives in drug and gene targeting are described.
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India. Electronic address: rssingh11@lycos.com.
authors.forename: Ram Sarup
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate and Protein Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Navpreet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Chembiotech Laboratories, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, 5 The Croft, Buntsford Drive, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcs B60 4JE, UK.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D005936:Glucans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011134:Polysaccharides; C009109:pullulan; D004247:DNA
keywords: Drug delivery; Drug release; Gene targeting; Nanoparticles; Polysaccharide; Pullulan