Biopolymers for Drug Delivery

In recent decades, innovations in drug delivery (DD) technology have transformed the healthcare industry by improving the effectiveness and safety of medications. Biopolymers are polymers that occur naturally or synthetically, have properties compatible with living organisms and can be biodegraded easily, so they have become a favorable option for state-of-the-art DD systems (DDSs). This chapter gives a thorough overview of biopolymer usage in DDSs, starting by discussing the challenges and opportunities in DD and underscoring the importance of innovative delivery methods to address issues like low drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Exploration of the characteristics and varieties of biopolymers regularly utilized in DD, such as polysaccharides like chitosan (CTS) and hyaluronic acid (HA), proteins such as albumin and gelatin, and nucleic acid-based polymers like DNA and RNA are also discussed herewith. The understanding of how drugs are released from biopolymer carriers and the various factors that affect the rate of release along with the use of biopolymers in specific DDSs such as controlled release and targeted DDSs, demonstrating how they can enhance drug administration and reduce negative impacts of DD devices. This chapter highlights the increasing importance of biopolymers in DD, providing a sustainable and biocompatible substitute for conventional DDSs. It acts as a useful tool for researchers, scientists, and healthcare professionals who want to learn about the various uses and new developments in the area of biopolymer-based DD.