Abstract

Background: Objective: Various natural gums can be synergistically used in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems to treat cardiovascular diseases. Nanotechnology has been integrated into healthcare in terms of theranostics. In this review, we consider various natural gums that can be used for the preparation of nanoparticles and their role to treat cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Nanoparticles can carry drugs at nanoscales and deliver them to the targeted sites with the desired pattern of drug release. They have specialized uptake mechanisms (e.g. - absorptive endocytosis) which improve the bioavailability of drugs.

Results: By considering cardiovascular diseases at the molecular level, it is possible to modify the materials with nanotechnology and apply nano-formulations efficiently as compared with conventional preparations, due to the fact that the extracellular matrix (ECM) comprises components at the nanoscale range. The interactions of ECM components with cellular components occur at the nanoscale, therefore the nanomaterials have the potential to maintain the nanoscale properties of cells. The synthetic materials used to develop the nanoparticulate drug delivery system may cause toxicity.

Conclusion: This problem can be overcome by using natural polymers. Natural gums can be used in nanoparticulate drug delivery systems as reducing and stabilizing agents and in some cases; they may directly or indirectly influence the rate of drug release and absorption from the preparation.

Keywords: Natural gums, nanoparticulate drug delivery, cardiovascular disease, nanoscale, Gum acacia, vascular protection.

Graphical Abstract