Challenges, opportunities, and future prospects of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles for colon targeting: A comprehensive review

Polysaccharides have attracted considerable attention as potential vehicles for drug delivery because of their unique and versatile characteristics. The biodegradability, biocompatibility, mucoadhesive characteristics, and tunable properties of polysaccharide make them attractive carriers for formulating of colon-targeted drug delivery systems. This review article encompasses the research on nanoparticles (NPs) based on polysaccharides (e. g. pectin, sodium alginate and chitosan) for targeted drug delivery to the colon. Various strategies such as microbially triggered, enzymatic degradation, and pH responsive systems have been discussed. Furthermore, ligand-based active targeting of therapeutics to colon has also been highlighted. The review also covers the various characterization and evaluation techniques used in the development of polysaccharide-based NPs. The importance of morphology, particle size (PS), surface charge of the NPs on performance of the delivery system has also been given due consideration. The challenges and future perspectives associated with colon drug delivery have been summarized. The information presented will be helpful to the scientific community when working with polysaccharides and will pave the way for improved therapeutic outcomes.