Carbohydrate Polymers in Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutical Formulation

Dear Colleagues,

Carbohydrate polymers represent one of the most versatile classes of  biomaterials in pharmaceutical science. Their abundant natural availability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and multifunctional physicochemical properties make them highly suitable for designing advanced drug delivery systems and novel pharmaceutical excipients. This Special Issue highlights innovative research and recent developments in the formulation, modification, and application of carbohydrate-based materials across the pharmaceutical landscape.

The focus and themes for this Special Issue include the following:

1. Carbohydrate Polymers in Drug Delivery Systems
   Research exploring the use of natural, semi-synthetic, or modified polysaccharides in developing targeted and controlled drug release systems such as microcapsules, nanoparticles, hydrogels, microbeads, and discs.

2. Novel Processing and Encapsulation Technologies
   Studies involving innovative approaches such as ionotropic gelation, chemical or radiation crosslinking, spray drying, surface coating techniques, emerging encapsulation, or cross-linking strategies.

3. Enhancing Drug Performance
   Research addressing improvements in drug solubility and modification of drug dissolution profiles using carbohydrate-based systems.

4. Development of New Carbohydrate-Based Excipients
   We welcome studies on carbohydrate polymers serving as capsule wall materials, disintegrants, emulsifying or suspending agents, gel-forming materials, and innovative multifunctional excipients.

5. Application in Pharmaceutical Processing
   Work demonstrating the application of carbohydrate polymers in various pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, including coating, granulation, pelletization, spheronization, and other industrial pharmaceutical operations.

Submissions may involve the following carbohydrate polymers of interest and are not limited to pectin, alginate, cellulose and its derivatives, cyclodextrins, chitosan, xanthan gum, acacia (Gum Arabic), and carrageenan.

Dr. Saravanan Muniyandy
Guest Editor

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