Carbohydrate-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Chemistry, Design, and Therapeutic Potential
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 36
Special Issue Editors
Interests: drug–protein binding; drug-cyclodextrins interaction, characterization and effect on drug solubility/dissolution/absorption; development and in vitro–in vivo evaluation of novel dosage forms with optimized absorption (GI/nasal/pulmonary); PK/PD studies and dosage individualization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: pharmaceutical technology; nanoparticles; hybrid nanosystems; physicochemical characterization; drug loading and release studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: development and in vitro–in vivo evaluation of novel nasal dosage forms with optimized absorption；characterization and effect on drug solubility/dissolution/absorption; pharmacokinetic studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue is focused on carbohydrate-based drug delivery systems, their chemistry and added value in drug loading and release, as well as their clinical relevance as innovative therapeutic platforms. Carbohydrate-based DDSs include monosaccharide-modified carriers (i.e., glucose-conjugated systems), polysaccharide-based matrices (i.e., dextran, chitosan, etc.), and cyclodextrin (CD)-based drug delivery systems. Their intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and chemical versatility make them ideal candidates for improving the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) characteristics of encapsulated Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). From a therapeutic perspective, carbohydrate scaffolds enable the design of conjugates and stimulus-responsive systems for the development of medicines, vaccines, and targeted therapies. On the other hand, the batch-to-batch variability for the carbohydrate-based systems from natural sources, the complexity of structures, and the need for scalability and reproducibility remain challenges for these DDS. Despite these hurdles, a growing body of evidence highlights the clinical promise of carbohydrate-based DDS in cancer therapy, infectious and age-related diseases, and vaccines, underscoring the high therapeutic potential of the interdisciplinary research in this field.
Prof. Dr. Georgia N. Valsami
Dr. Natassa Pippa
Guest Editors
Dr. Paraskevi Papakyriakopoulou
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- carbohydrate-based drug delivery systems
- polysaccharides
- cyclodextrins
- drug loading and release
- routes of administration
- in vitro–in vivo evaluation
- PK/PD studies
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