Polymeric Systems Loaded with Natural Bioactive Compounds, 2nd Edition
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2025) | Viewed by 1055
Special Issue Editors
Interests: polysaccharide modification; bioactive polymers; biomaterials; hydrogels; interpenetrated networks; micro- and nanoparticles (spheres and capsules); hybrid and functionalized nanoparticles for drug targeting; drug delivery; polymer–drug conjugates
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: polymer drug delivery systems; micro/nanoparticles; hydrogels; drug release kinetics; polysaccharides
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Since ancient times, people have used natural products derived from plants and sometimes animals as medicines against various diseases because they show a great structural diversity that influences biological properties and bioavailability. Natural products such as polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols, carotenoids, vitamins, alkaloids etc., can modulate metabolic processes and demonstrate positive properties such as antioxidant effects, inhibition of receptor activities, inhibition or induction of enzymes, and the induction and inhibition of gene expression. However, most bioactive natural compounds have low water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Nanotechnology plays an important role in improving these properties, improving their absorption, protecting them from premature degradation in the body, and prolonging their circulation time. Many nanostructured systems have been developed for the loading, transport, and controlled release of the active compound into the body, or even at the specific target of these natural products. These include hydrogels/nanohydrogels, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles (nanospheres and nanocapsules), solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, polymeric micelles, etc.
This Special Issue aims to present the latest aspects regarding the preparation and characterization of natural biologically active principles loaded in polymer-based films, hydrogels, micro/nanoparticles, micelles, capsules, implants, inserts, liposomes stabilized by polymer coatings, etc.
Prof. Dr. Marcel Popa
Dr. Cǎtǎlina Anişoara Peptu
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- polymer–natural drug systems
- polyphenols
- polymer-drug conjugates
- biomaterials
- drug delivery
- natural bioactive compounds
- active targeting
- omega 3 fatty acids
- carotenoids
- vitamins
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