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Polymers
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Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics
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Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2023) | Viewed by 17246

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Emanuele Rezoagli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
2. Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, University Teaching Hospital San Gerardo, 20900 Monza, Italy
Interests: homopolysaccharide; naturally-occurring polymers; polysaccharide; immunotherapies; bioactives; immune priming; cancer therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Emma Murphy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Bioscience Research Institue, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone N37 HD68, Ireland
Interests: homopolysaccharide; naturally-occurring polymers; polysaccharide; immunotherapies; bioactives; immune priming; cancer therapies
Dr. Ian Major

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Materials Research Institute, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland
Interests: homopolysaccharide; naturally-occurring polymers; polysaccharide; immunotherapies; bioactives; immune priming; cancer therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It has been well documented that naturally occurring polymers (NOPs) namely polysaccharides are biocompatible and environmentally friendly materials. NOPs particularly polysaccharide types are frequently used as therapeutic agents. Polysaccharide polymers have been demonstrated to be less toxic and have higher biocompatibility and biodegradability than synthetic counterparts. The correct formulation and administration of pharmacologically active compounds is vital for optimal effects of immune therapies. Studies have demonstrated that incorporation of a biologically active compound into the polymeric matrix namely those of natural origin can prevent degradation, control release, improve absorption, enhance therapeutic effect and potentially decrease in frequency of administration.

Immune or biological therapy is the treatment of a disease through interaction with the immune system by either activation or suppression. The mode of delivery of the biologically active ingredient and the ingredient itself are critical for effect as the immune system counterparts are so specific of foreign material recognition. In this issue we endeavour to gather information and research on naturally occurring polymers as either specific immunotherapies or as drug delivery matrix for biological therapies for a range of conditions. The aim of this special issue is to explore this area, as collectively this research could potentially reduce potential complications and improve the accuracy of immunotherapies through the use of naturally occurring polymers. In addition the issue could also highlight potentially naturally occurring polysaccharides not as commonly established.

Dr. Emanuele Rezoagli
Dr. Emma Murphy
Dr. Ian Major
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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • Homopolysaccharide
  • Naturally-occurring polymers
  • Polysaccharide
  • Immunotherapies
  • Bioactives
  • Immune priming
  • Cancer therapies

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4313 KiB  
Article
The Use of Hot Melt Extrusion to Prepare a Solid Dispersion of Ibuprofen in a Polymer Matrix
by Kinga Biedrzycka and Agnieszka Marcinkowska
Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2912; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15132912 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2557
Abstract
In this work, we report the use of the hot melt extrusion method in harsh extrusion conditions, i.e., screw rotation speed of 250 rpm, temperature above 100 °C, and two mixing zones, in order to obtain an amorphous dispersion of an active pharmaceutical [...] Read more.
In this work, we report the use of the hot melt extrusion method in harsh extrusion conditions, i.e., screw rotation speed of 250 rpm, temperature above 100 °C, and two mixing zones, in order to obtain an amorphous dispersion of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that is sparingly soluble in water. As a polymer matrix Eudragit EPO (E-EPO) and as an API ibuprofen (IBU) were used in the research. In addition, the plasticizer Compritol 888 ATO (COM) was tested as a factor potentially improving processing parameters and modifying the IBU release profile. In studies, 25% by weight of IBU, 10% of COM and various extrusion temperatures, i.e., 90, 100, 120, 130, and 140 °C, were used. Hot melt extrusion (HME) temperatures were selected based on the glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix (Tg = 42 °C) and the melting points of IBU (Tm = 76 °C) and COM (Tm = 73 °C), which were tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability of the tested compounds, determined on the basis of measurements carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), was also taken into account. HME resulted in amorphous E-EPO/IBU solid dispersions and solid dispersions containing a partially crystalline plasticizer in the case of E-EPO/IBU/COM extrudates. Interactions between the components of the extrudate were also studied using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The occurrence of such interactions in the studied system, which improve the stability of the obtained solid polymer dispersions, was confirmed. On the basis of DSC thermograms and XRPD diffractograms, it was found that amorphous solid dispersions were obtained. In addition, their stability was confirmed in accelerated conditions (40 °C, 75% RH) for 28 days and 3 months. The release profiles of prepared tablets showed the release of 40% to 63% of IBU from the tablets within 180 min in artificial gastric juice solution, with the best results obtained for tablets with E-EPO/IBU extrudate prepared at a processing temperature of 140 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics)
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13 pages, 7428 KiB  
Communication
Electrospinning Drug-Loaded Alginate-Based Nanofibers towards Developing a Drug Release Rate Catalog
by Kathryn E. Penton, Zachary Kinler, Amber Davis, Joshua A. Spiva and Sharon K. Hamilton
Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2773; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142773 - 6 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3303
Abstract
Electrospinning natural polymers represents a developing interest in the field of biomaterials. Electrospun nanofibers have been shown to facilitate tissue regeneration and emulate body tissue, making them ideal for modern biomedical applications. These water-soluble natural polymers including alginate, have also shown promise as [...] Read more.
Electrospinning natural polymers represents a developing interest in the field of biomaterials. Electrospun nanofibers have been shown to facilitate tissue regeneration and emulate body tissue, making them ideal for modern biomedical applications. These water-soluble natural polymers including alginate, have also shown promise as drug delivery vehicles. However, many biopolymers including alginate are inherently charged, making the formation of nanofibers difficult. To better understand the potential of natural polymer-based fibers in drug delivery applications, fiber formulations and drug loading concentrations of alginate-based scaffolds were investigated. It was found electrospinning poly(vinyl alcohol) with alginate facilitated fiber formation while the co-polymer agarose showed minor improvement in terms of alginate electrospinnability. Once uniform fibers were formed, the antibiotic ciprofloxacin was added into the polymer electrospinning solution to yield drug-loaded nanofibers. These optimized parameters coupled with small molecule release rate data from the drug-loaded, alginate-based fibers have been used to establish a catalog of small molecule release profiles. In the future, this catalog will be further expanded to include drug release rate data from other innately charged natural polymer-based fibers such as chitosan. It is anticipated that the cataloged profiles can be applied in the further development of biomaterials used in drug delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics)
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Review

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41 pages, 4011 KiB  
Review
Polysaccharides—Naturally Occurring Immune Modulators
by Emma J. Murphy, Gustavo Waltzer Fehrenbach, Ismin Zainol Abidin, Ciara Buckley, Therese Montgomery, Robert Pogue, Patrick Murray, Ian Major and Emanuele Rezoagli
Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2373; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102373 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5129
Abstract
The prevention of disease and infection requires immune systems that operate effectively. This is accomplished by the elimination of infections and abnormal cells. Immune or biological therapy treats disease by either stimulating or inhibiting the immune system, dependent upon the circumstances. In plants, [...] Read more.
The prevention of disease and infection requires immune systems that operate effectively. This is accomplished by the elimination of infections and abnormal cells. Immune or biological therapy treats disease by either stimulating or inhibiting the immune system, dependent upon the circumstances. In plants, animals, and microbes, polysaccharides are abundant biomacromolecules. Due to the intricacy of their structure, polysaccharides may interact with and impact the immune response; hence, they play a crucial role in the treatment of several human illnesses. There is an urgent need for the identification of natural biomolecules that may prevent infection and treat chronic disease. This article addresses some of the naturally occurring polysaccharides of known therapeutic potential that have already been identified. This article also discusses extraction methods and immunological modulatory capabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics)
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23 pages, 3098 KiB  
Review
Hyaluronic Acid: A Review of the Drug Delivery Capabilities of This Naturally Occurring Polysaccharide
by Ciara Buckley, Emma J. Murphy, Therese R. Montgomery and Ian Major
Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3442; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173442 - 23 Aug 2022
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5191
Abstract
The inclusion of physiologically active molecules into a naturally occurring polymer matrix can improve the degradation, absorption, and release profile of the drug, thus boosting the therapeutic impact and potentially even reducing the frequency of administration. The human body produces significant amounts of [...] Read more.
The inclusion of physiologically active molecules into a naturally occurring polymer matrix can improve the degradation, absorption, and release profile of the drug, thus boosting the therapeutic impact and potentially even reducing the frequency of administration. The human body produces significant amounts of polysaccharide hyaluronic acid, which boasts exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and one-of-a-kind physicochemical features. In this review, we will examine the clinical trials currently utilizing hyaluronic acid and address the bright future of this versatile polymer, as well as summarize the numerous applications of hyaluronic acid in drug delivery and immunomodulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymers in Drug Delivery and Immunotherapeutics)
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