Adv Polym Sci (2013) 254: 169–202
DOI: 10.1007/12_2012_198
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 15 March 2013
Biodegradable Polymers for Potential Delivery
Systems for Therapeutics
Sanjeev K. Pandey, Chandana Haldar, Dinesh K. Patel, and Pralay Maiti
Abstract Biodegradable polymers are being extensively used with great interest
in areas of nanobiotechnology such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and other
applications for clinical and biomedical research covering cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, osteogenesis, cancer, and tissue engineering. Various biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly
(E-caprolactone), chitosan, gelatin, and poly(alkyl cyanoacrylates) have been extensively utilized as polymeric materials and devices for targeted cellular and tissuespecific clinical applications to achieve maximal therapeutic efficacy with minimal
or no side effects. Recently, polymeric nanoparticles have revolutionized the area
of nanobiotechnology by creating new opportunities for advancing medical science
and disease treatment. Polymeric nanoparticles have the potential to act as a carrier
of drugs and active constituents to targeted sites, protecting them from the environment and controlling their release rates, thereby enhancing their biological activity
and decreasing the adverse side effects. This article compiles updated information
regarding various biodegradable polymers, methods of preparation of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, and their application in therapeutic and diagnostic
strategies for various diseases. This article will support research scientists and
clinical physicians who are interested in the development and application of
biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles as potential delivery systems for
therapeutics.
Keywords Biodegradable polymers Á Drug delivery Á Nanoparticles
S.K. Pandey and C. Haldar
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
D.K. Patel and P. Maiti (*)
School of Materials Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi 221005, India
e-mail: pmaiti.mst@itbhu.ac.in
DOI: 10.1007/12_2012_198
# Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 15 March 2013
Biodegradable Polymers for Potential Delivery
Systems for Therapeutics
Sanjeev K. Pandey, Chandana Haldar, Dinesh K. Patel, and Pralay Maiti
Abstract Biodegradable polymers are being extensively used with great interest
in areas of nanobiotechnology such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and other
applications for clinical and biomedical research covering cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, osteogenesis, cancer, and tissue engineering. Various biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly
(E-caprolactone), chitosan, gelatin, and poly(alkyl cyanoacrylates) have been extensively utilized as polymeric materials and devices for targeted cellular and tissuespecific clinical applications to achieve maximal therapeutic efficacy with minimal
or no side effects. Recently, polymeric nanoparticles have revolutionized the area
of nanobiotechnology by creating new opportunities for advancing medical science
and disease treatment. Polymeric nanoparticles have the potential to act as a carrier
of drugs and active constituents to targeted sites, protecting them from the environment and controlling their release rates, thereby enhancing their biological activity
and decreasing the adverse side effects. This article compiles updated information
regarding various biodegradable polymers, methods of preparation of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, and their application in therapeutic and diagnostic
strategies for various diseases. This article will support research scientists and
clinical physicians who are interested in the development and application of
biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles as potential delivery systems for
therapeutics.
Keywords Biodegradable polymers Á Drug delivery Á Nanoparticles
S.K. Pandey and C. Haldar
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
D.K. Patel and P. Maiti (*)
School of Materials Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi 221005, India
e-mail: pmaiti.mst@itbhu.ac.in