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Marine Drugs
Special Issues
Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery
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Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials of Marine Origin".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 16235

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Leto-Aikaterini Tziveleka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Interests: functional biomaterials; biocompatible polymers; controlled delivery of bioactive molecules; drug targeting; tissue engineering; nanoparticles; scaffolds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Efstathia Ioannou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Interests: isolation; structure elucidation; marine natural products; marine biopolymers; marine-derived microorganisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Vassilios Roussis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Interests: biomedical applications; electrospinning; nanofibers; hybrid materials; marine biopolymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine biopolymers, including polysaccharides and proteins isolated from algae, marine invertebrates and fish, have been employed over the last few decades for the development of new drug delivery systems and devices for biomedical applications.

Variability, sustainability, biocompatibility and biodegradability, along with the inherent biological activities they possess, are considered to be the strong advantages that these biopolymers offer. The presence of multiple reactive groups enables the structural modification of the biopolymers, which confers advantageous features for tailor-made applications.

In this respect, the use of marine biopolymers for the development of functional drug delivery systems, as well as contributing to the controlled release of therapeutic ingredients, could also add to the targeting ability or even enhance the therapeutic effect. Biopolymers could be used as excipients or in the form of hydrogels, films, membranes, fibers or particles to contribute to controlled and tissue-specific drug release.

This Special Issue of Marine Drugs will accept original research articles and reviews that present the most significant advancements in this field.

Dr. Leto-Aikaterini Tziveleka
Dr. Efstathia Ioannou
Prof. Dr. Vassilios Roussis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • marine biomaterials
  • drug delivery
  • gene delivery
  • protein delivery
  • drug targeting
  • controlled release
  • hydrogels
  • particles
  • fibers
  • membranes

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 4540 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of Laminaria japonica Polysaccharide Composite Microcapsules on the Survival of Lactobacillus plantarum during Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and Heat Treatment
by Honghui Guo, Yelin Zhou, Quanling Xie, Hui Chen, Ming’en Zhang, Lei Yu, Guangyu Yan, Yan Chen, Xueliang Lin, Yiping Zhang and Zhuan Hong
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(7), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22070308 - 30 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1368
Abstract
To improve probiotics’ survivability during gastrointestinal digestion and heat treatment, Lactobacillus plantarum was microencapsulated by spray-drying using Laminaria japonica polysaccharide/sodium caseinate/gelatin (LJP/SC/GE) composites. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that the denaturation of LJP/SC/GE microcapsules requires higher thermal energy than that of [...] Read more.
To improve probiotics’ survivability during gastrointestinal digestion and heat treatment, Lactobacillus plantarum was microencapsulated by spray-drying using Laminaria japonica polysaccharide/sodium caseinate/gelatin (LJP/SC/GE) composites. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that the denaturation of LJP/SC/GE microcapsules requires higher thermal energy than that of SC/GE microcapsules, and the addition of LJP may improve thermal stability. Zeta potential measurements indicated that, at low pH of the gastric fluid, the negatively charged LJP attracted the positively charged SC/GE, helping to maintain an intact microstructure without disintegration. The encapsulation efficiency of L. plantarum-loaded LJP/SC/GE microcapsules reached about 93.4%, and the survival rate was 46.9% in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) for 2 h and 96.0% in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for 2 h. In vitro release experiments showed that the LJP/SC/GE microcapsules could protect the viability of L. plantarum in SGF and release probiotics slowly in SIF. The cell survival of LJP/SC/GE microcapsules was significantly improved during the heat treatment compared to SC/GE microcapsules and free cells. LJP/SC/GE microcapsules can increase the survival of L. plantarum by maintaining the lactate dehydrogenase and Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Overall, this study demonstrates the great potential of LJP/SC/GE microcapsules to protect and deliver probiotics in food and pharmaceutical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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15 pages, 7791 KiB  
Article
Chitosan/Virgin-Coconut-Oil-Based System Enriched with Cubosomes: A 3D Drug-Delivery Approach
by Simone S. Silva, Luísa C. Rodrigues, Emanuel M. Fernandes, Diana Soares da Costa, Denise G. Villalva, Watson Loh and Rui L. Reis
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(7), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070394 - 6 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2387
Abstract
Emulsion-based systems that combine natural polymers with vegetable oils have been identified as a promising research avenue for developing structures with potential for biomedical applications. Herein, chitosan (CHT), a natural polymer, and virgin coconut oil (VCO), a resource obtained from coconut kernels, were [...] Read more.
Emulsion-based systems that combine natural polymers with vegetable oils have been identified as a promising research avenue for developing structures with potential for biomedical applications. Herein, chitosan (CHT), a natural polymer, and virgin coconut oil (VCO), a resource obtained from coconut kernels, were combined to create an emulsion system. Phytantriol-based cubosomes encapsulating sodium diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, were further dispersed into CHT/VCO- based emulsion. Then, the emulsions were frozen and freeze-dried to produce scaffolds. The scaffolds had a porous structure ranging from 20.4 to 73.4 µm, a high swelling ability (up to 900%) in PBS, and adequate stiffness, notably in the presence of cubosomes. Moreover, a well-sustained release of the entrapped diclofenac in the cubosomes into the CHT/VCO-based system, with an accumulated release of 45 ± 2%, was confirmed in PBS, compared to free diclofenac dispersed (80 ± 4%) into CHT/VCO-based structures. Overall, the present approach opens up new avenues for designing porous biomaterials for drug delivery through a sustainable pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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17 pages, 4831 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Blends’ Miscibility of a Novel Chitosan Derivative with Enhanced Antioxidant Properties; Prospects for 3D Printing Biomedical Applications
by Georgia Michailidou, Alexandra Zamboulis and Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(7), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070370 - 22 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1553
Abstract
Chitosan is a polysaccharide vastly examined in polymer science for its unique structure. In the present study, CS was derivatized with 2-methoxy-4vinylphenol (MVP) in four different ratios through a free radical reaction. The CS-MVP derivatives were characterized through FTIR, 1H-NMR, XRD, swelling, and [...] Read more.
Chitosan is a polysaccharide vastly examined in polymer science for its unique structure. In the present study, CS was derivatized with 2-methoxy-4vinylphenol (MVP) in four different ratios through a free radical reaction. The CS-MVP derivatives were characterized through FTIR, 1H-NMR, XRD, swelling, and solubility measurements. Owing to the enhanced antioxidant character of the MVP monomer, the antioxidant activity of the CS-MVP derivatives was assessed. In the optimum CS-MVP ratio, blends between CS and CS-MVP were prepared in ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, and 10:90 w/w, and their miscibility was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and viscosity measurements. In the optimum ratios, highly concentrated inks were prepared, and their viscosity measurements revealed the successful formation of highly viscous gels with shear thinning behavior. These inks could be appropriate candidates for biomedical and drug delivery applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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18 pages, 2451 KiB  
Article
Chitosan/Albumin Coating Factorial Optimization of Alginate/Dextran Sulfate Cores for Oral Delivery of Insulin
by Bruno Pessoa, Mar Collado-Gonzalez, Giuseppina Sandri and António Ribeiro
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(3), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21030179 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
The design of nanoparticle formulations composed of biopolymers, that govern the physicochemical properties of orally delivered insulin, relies on improving insulin stability and absorption through the intestinal mucosa while protecting it from harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chitosan/polyethylene glycol (PEG) and [...] Read more.
The design of nanoparticle formulations composed of biopolymers, that govern the physicochemical properties of orally delivered insulin, relies on improving insulin stability and absorption through the intestinal mucosa while protecting it from harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chitosan/polyethylene glycol (PEG) and albumin coating of alginate/dextran sulfate hydrogel cores are presented as a multilayer complex protecting insulin within the nanoparticle. This study aims to optimize a nanoparticle formulation by assessing the relationship between design parameters and experimental data using response surface methodology through a 3-factor 3-level optimization Box–Behnken design. While the selected independent variables were the concentrations of PEG, chitosan and albumin, the dependent variables were particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and insulin release. Experimental results showed a nanoparticle size ranging from 313 to 585 nm, with PDI from 0.17 to 0.39 and zeta potential ranging from −29 to −44 mV. Insulin bioactivity was maintained in simulated GI media with over 45% cumulative release after 180 min in a simulated intestinal medium. Based on the experimental responses and according to the criteria of desirability on the experimental region’s constraints, solutions of 0.03% PEG, 0.047% chitosan and 1.20% albumin provide an optimum nanoparticle formulation for insulin oral delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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Review

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15 pages, 3207 KiB  
Review
Advances in Algin and Alginate-Hybrid Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering
by Qing He, Tianjian Tong, Chenxu Yu and Qun Wang
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21010014 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3802
Abstract
In this review, we aim to provide a summary of recent research advancements and applications of algin (i.e., alginic acid) and alginate-hybrid materials (AHMs) in medical fields. Algin/alginate are abundant natural products that are chemically inert and biocompatible, and they have superior gelation [...] Read more.
In this review, we aim to provide a summary of recent research advancements and applications of algin (i.e., alginic acid) and alginate-hybrid materials (AHMs) in medical fields. Algin/alginate are abundant natural products that are chemically inert and biocompatible, and they have superior gelation properties, good mechanical strengths, and biodegradability. The AHMs have been widely applied in wound dressing, cell culture, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. However, medical applications in different fields require different properties in the AHMs. The drug delivery application requires AHMs to provide optimal drug loading, controlled and targeted drug-releasing, and/or visually guided drug delivery. AHMs for wound dressing application need to have improved mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, cell adhesion, and antibacterial properties. AHMs for tissue engineering need improved mechanical properties that match the target organs, superior cell affinity, and cell loading capacity. Various methods to produce AHMs that meet different needs were summarized. Formulations to form AHMs with improved stability, drug/cell-loading capacity, cell adhesion, and mechanical properties are active research areas. This review serves as a road map to provide insights into the strategies to develop AHMs in medical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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26 pages, 1229 KiB  
Review
Marine-Inspired Drugs and Biomaterials in the Perspective of Pancreatic Cancer Therapies
by Andreia S. Fernandes, Catarina Oliveira, Rui L. Reis, Albino Martins and Tiago H. Silva
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(11), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20110689 - 1 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3707
Abstract
Despite its low prevalence, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest, typically characterised as silent in early stages and with a dramatically poor prognosis when in its advanced stages, commonly associated with a high degree of metastasis. Many efforts have been made [...] Read more.
Despite its low prevalence, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest, typically characterised as silent in early stages and with a dramatically poor prognosis when in its advanced stages, commonly associated with a high degree of metastasis. Many efforts have been made in pursuing innovative therapeutical approaches, from the search for new cytotoxic drugs and other bioactive compounds, to the development of more targeted approaches, including improved drug delivery devices. Marine biotechnology has been contributing to this quest by providing new chemical leads and materials originating from different organisms. In this review, marine biodiscovery for PC is addressed, particularly regarding marine invertebrates (namely sponges, molluscs, and bryozoans), seaweeds, fungi, and bacteria. In addition, the development of biomaterials based on marine-originating compounds, particularly chitosan, fucoidan, and alginate, for the production of advanced cancer therapies, is also discussed. The key role that drug delivery can play in new cancer treatments is highlighted, as therapeutical outcomes need to be improved to give further hope to patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Biopolymers and Their Applications in Drug Delivery)
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