Nanocellulose in targeted drug delivery: A review of modifications and synergistic applications
Open accessAbstract
Nanocellulose, a versatile biopolymer renowned for its exceptional physicochemical attributes including lightweight, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and higher mechanical strength properties has captured significant attention in biomedical research. This renewable material, extracted from widely abundant biosources including plants, bacteria, and algae, exists in three primary forms: cellulose-based nanocrystals (CNCs), nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). CNCs are characterized by their highly crystalline, needle-shaped structure, while CNFs possess a blend of amorphous and crystalline regions. BNC stands out as the purest form of nanocellulose. Chemical functionalization enables precise tuning of nanocellulose properties, enhancing its suitability for diverse biomedical applications. In drug delivery systems, nanocellulose's unique structure and surface chemistry offer opportunities for targeted delivery of active molecules. Surface-modified nanocellulose can effectively deliver drugs to specific sites, utilizing its inherent properties to control drug release kinetics and improve therapeutic outcomes. Despite these advantages, challenges such as achieving optimal drug loading capacity and ensuring sustained drug release remain. Future research aims to address these challenges and explore novel applications of nano-structured cellulose in targeted drug delivery, highlighting the continued evolution of this promising biomaterial in biomedicine. Furtherm…
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Synthetic polymers such as PCL, PEG, and PLGA allow for fine-tuning of mechanical strength and degradation kinetics.
“Synthetic polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) allow for the fine-tuning of mechanical strength and degradation kinetics [9,10].”
From Biomaterials in Postoperative Adhesion Barriers and Uterine Tissue Engineering (2025) · cites this paper as [9]
Chemical modification of cellulose with carboxymethyl substitutions imparts hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, making CMC an excellent anti-adhesion barrier material.
“This chemical modification imparts hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, making CMC an excellent anti-adhesion barrier material [9].”
From Biomaterials in Postoperative Adhesion Barriers and Uterine Tissue Engineering (2025) · cites this paper as [9]
CMC degrades naturally into non-toxic byproducts, but its rapid degradation and tendency for excessive swelling can limit barrier effectiveness.
“Furthermore, CMC degrades naturally into non-toxic byproducts; however, its rapid degradation and tendency for excessive swelling can limit barrier effectiveness [9].”
From Biomaterials in Postoperative Adhesion Barriers and Uterine Tissue Engineering (2025) · cites this paper as [9]
Cites
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Radiopharmaceuticals: navigating the frontier of precision medicine and therapeutic innovation
Dhoundiyal, S., Srivastava, S., Kumar, S., Singh, G., Ashique, S., Pal, R., Mishra, N., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2024) · European Journal of Medical Research · doi:10.1186/s40001-023-01627-0 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
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Biomaterials in Postoperative Adhesion Barriers and Uterine Tissue Engineering
Fazel Anvari-Yazdi, A., Badea, I., & Chen, X. (2025) · Gels · doi:10.3390/gels11060441 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
- Authors
- Babaei-Ghazvini, A., Patel, R., Vafakish, B., Yazdi, A. F. A., & Acharya, B.
- Affiliations
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Acharya, Bishnu
- Venue
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-10
- Volume
- 278
- Issue
- Pt 4
- Pages
- 135200
- ISSN
- 0141-8130 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4402423764
- Cited by
- 68
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 35 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 1.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Mitacs (IT29563)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Advanced Cellulose Research Studies
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Keywords
- nanocellulose, targeted drug delivery, cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, bacterial nanocellulose, surface modification, chemical functionalization, enzyme modification, physical modification, drug loading capacity, controlled drug release, biodegradable biomaterials
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Biocompatible Materials, Cellulose, Drug Carriers, Humans, Drug Delivery Systems, Nanoparticles, Drug Liberation
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