ABSTRACT
Alginate (ALG) is a polysaccharide that is obtained from algae and has been extensively used as a food additive and thickener in salad dressings. The preparation of amphiphilic self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) through conjugation of a variety of alkyl chains to ALG with hydrophobic character resulted in enhanced stability in the presence of various concentrations of sodium chloride. Divalent cations like calcium or cationic polyelectrolytes such as polylysine or chitosan can be used as complexing agents to prepare ALG NPs. The potential of ALG NPs in brain drug delivery was demonstrated using venlafaxine-loaded NPs for the treatment of depression through the intranasal route. The efficiency of delivery and release of bioactive molecules from ALG-based NPs is influenced by factors such as ALG chemical modifications, cross-linking agent, drug loading, particle size, interactions between the drug and polymer, and several other technological and pharmacotechnical factors.
