Mucilage-based nanoparticles in biomedical applications: a review on decades of research

Mucilages are polysaccharide hydrocolloids with distinct physicochemical and structural diversity, possessing characteristic functional and health benefits as nanoparticles. Among the numerous polysaccharide hydrocolloids developed to formulate polymeric nanoparticles, mucilage has attracted considerable attention due to its appealing properties: (i) biodegradability and biocompatibility, (ii) facilitating targeted delivery, (iii) reusable (v) scope of controlled release, (vi) probability to modify surface properties, (vii) coating for nanoparticles, (viii) enhancing drug solubility, (ix) low cost, (xi) high water-binding capacity, (xii) cheap and easily available, and (xi) generally recognized as safe for human consumption. This review presents different preparation methods for mucilage-based nanoparticles (MNPs) from the methodological point of view. The crosslinking agents including citric acid, calcium chloride, glutaraldehyde, zinc chloride, and other cross-linkers, and the physicochemical behavior of MNPs including drug loading, drug release, particle size, zeta-potential and stability are briefly discussed. This review also presents MNPs as drug delivery systems in various biomedical applications over the decades. Finally, modifications of MNPs and MNPs nanocomplexes are additionally studied.