abstract
Introduction: The design of efficient therapeutic delivery devices has become a tremendously active area of research with a strong contribution from the layer-by-layer (LbL) technology. The application of this simple yet firmly established technique for the design of drug reservoirs originates a multitude of multilayered systems of tailored architecture and with a high level of control of drug administration. Areas covered: This review will focus on the most recent and original research on LbL assemblies based on biopolymers including polysaccharides, polypeptides and proteins, with potential use in drug delivery. Herein, drug reservoirs consisting of multilayered planar films and capsules will be examined with emphasis on the ones benefiting from the non-cytotoxic and biocompatible nature of biopolymers, which are suitable to load, protect and release a high payload of toxic and fragile drugs. Expert opinion: The combination of biopolymers with LbL technology has undergone extensive research, still, there is a multitude of R&D opportunities for the design of smart drug delivery systems with distinct multilayered morphologies, low immunological response, non-invasive drug release devices, as well as the design of theranostic systems combining diagnostics and therapeutic features. Further developments in terms of scaling towards mass production in the pharmaceutical industry are expected in the long-term.
keywords
LAYER-BY-LAYER; SELF-ASSEMBLY PROCESS; TEMPLATED POLYELECTROLYTE NANOCAPSULES; MESOPOROUS SILICA NANOPARTICLES; CATIONIC BIPOLAR AMPHIPHILES; CONTROLLED-RELEASE; INTRACELLULAR DELIVERY; CHARGED SURFACES; CELLULAR UPTAKE; BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
subject category
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
authors
Vilela, C; Figueiredo, ARP; Silvestre, AJD; Freire, CSR
our authors
Ana Figueiredo
Research Fellowship
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professor
Carla Vilela
Assistant Professor
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Coordinating Researcheracknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. The Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) is also acknowledged for a post-doctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/84168/2012) to C Vilela and a research contract under 'Investigador FCT 2012' (IF/01407/2012) to CSR Freire.