Protein-based nanoparticles for drug delivery: Critical review

Abstract

The employment of nanoparticles to develop systems to deliver drugs and to carry small as well as large therapeutic drugs is a rapidly growing research area. The benefits of consuming proteins for preparing drug delivery systems comprise their abundance in natural sources, biodegradability, biocompatibility, simple preparation process, as well as economical. Protein nanoparticles have no prospective toxicity, accumulation, large dimensions, or rapid clearance from the body. Additionally, they offer the prospect to modify their surface by conjugating them with different ligands. This allows desired delivery to targeted organs or tissues, which further decreases systemic toxicity. They are proved to be a better substitute for designing and improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties regarding diverse drug molecules. Herein, while focusing on the different proteins derived from different sources, a summary of protein-based nanoparticles, for drug delivery was presented. Several methods to prepare these nanoparticles were described along with their properties and their appropriate design through surface functionalization by conjugating them with various ligands. Potential applications of protein nanoparticles to deliver various kinds of therapeutic agents are summarized in the table. It then critically compares protein nanoparticles with other organic nanoparticles used for drug delivery by mentioning their limitation. Conclusions and future perspectives add some factors that are significant for designing such nanoparticles as useful drug delivery systems.