title: Inulin, a flexible oligosaccharide. II: Review of its pharmaceutical applications.
abstract: Inulin is a flexible oligosaccharide which has been used primarily in food for decades. Recently new applications in the pharmaceutical arena were described. In a previous review (Mensink et al. (2015). Carbohydrate Polymers, 130, 405) we described the physicochemical characteristics of inulin, characteristics which make inulin a highly versatile substance. Here, we review its pharmaceutical applications. Applications of inulin that are addressed are stabilization of proteins, modified drug delivery (dissolution rate enhancement and drug targeting), and lastly physiological and disease-modifying effects of inulin. Further uses of inulin include colon specific drug administration and stabilizing and adjuvating vaccine formulations. Overall, the uses of inulin in the pharmaceutical area are very diverse and research is still continuing, particularly with chemically modified inulins. It is therefore likely that even more applications will be found for this flexible oligosaccharide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mensink
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henderik W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Frijlink
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; Process Technology, Corbion Purac, PO Box 21, 4200 AA Gorinchem, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Voort Maarschalk
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: W.L.J.Hinrichs@rug.nl.
authors.forename: Wouter L J
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D007444:Inulin
keywords: Anhydrobiosis; Excipient; Formulation; Fructan; Stabilizer; Vaccines