Glucan is a glucose-based homopolysaccharide in which the glucose units are linked by glycosidic bonds. Studies have shown that glucan can be divided into alpha-glucan and beta-glucan according to the type of glycosidic linkages. Among them, dextran is more commonly used in the study of alpha-glucan. Studies have shown that dextran is present in the mucus secreted by certain microorganisms as they grow. Glucan has a high molecular weight and is mainly composed of D-glucopyranose linked by α, 1→6 bonds, and the branching points are linked by 1→2, 1→3 and 1→4 bonds. Among glucans, β-glucan shows the strongest physiological activity. In the 1940s, it was first discovered that there is a substance in the yeast cell wall that can improve immunity. Later, further research found that this immunity-boosting substance is a polysaccharide-β-glucan. The active structure of β-glucan is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units mainly bonded through β-1,3. It can activate macrophages, neutrophils, etc. β-Glucan can rapidly restore the ability of injured lymphocytes to produce cytokines (IL-1), effectively regulating the body's immune function. A large number of experiments show that β-glucan can stimulate the production of IgM antibodies in the body to improve humoral immunity. This type of glucan-activated cells stimulates the host's non-specific defence mechanism, so its application in tumours, infectious diseases and the treatment of trauma has attracted much attention. β-1,3 glucan, which is extracted by special steps and does not contain endotoxin, has been recognised by the US FDA as a safe substance and can be added to common foods. Many reports show that oral administration of yeast β-1,3 glucan to mice can increase potent antibacterial phagocytosis of peritoneal cells. Yeast glucan is an immune-enhancing polysaccharide found in the yeast cell wall - β-glucan. Beta-glucan is widely found in various fungi and plants, such as shiitake mushrooms, ganoderma lucidum and oats, and is their main health substance. Yeast glucan has a stronger immune-boosting effect and can improve blood lipids, radiation resistance and intestinal function. Glucan is also used for drug delivery.
Figure 1. Different derivatization pathways of dextran. (Hriday Bera, et al.; 2021)
Dextran is a natural high molecular weight polysaccharide compound composed of D-pyranose glucose units after dehydration. It is produced by dextran sucrase, which is produced by bacteria cultured in sucrose solution to catalyse sucrose. As a natural polymeric material, dextran has the advantages of being non-toxic, inexpensive, water-soluble and stable. Researchers have found that when a certain amount of dextran is added to physiological saline to form a 6% dextran colloidal fluid, the colloidal fluid has parameters such as viscosity and osmotic pressure that are very similar to those of plasma. Therefore, in the biomedical field, dextran is commonly used as a plasma substitute. Dextran and its derivatives with very good biocompatibility are often combined with drugs to prepare drug delivery systems. The resulting dextran-based drug carriers are easily degraded and do not interfere with the normal biological functions of organs in the human body. Therefore, dextran can be used to prepare nanoparticles, drug delivery systems and biomedical imaging agents. Due to its polysaccharide structure and biocompatibility, dextran can be used as a carrier to encapsulate drugs or other active substances and achieve slow release or targeted drug delivery.
Dextran-NH2 is a dextran-based nanoparticle with high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. It is widely used in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Dextran-NH2 is obtained by ammoniation of dextran molecules and has some unique properties. Firstly, Dextran-NH2 has high water solubility and can form a stable solution in water. Secondly, it has good biocompatibility and can be broken down and excreted in the body. Dextran-NH2 can also be combined with a variety of drug molecules to achieve targeted drug delivery. Dextran-NH2 has a wide range of applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. It can be used as a drug carrier to encapsulate drug molecules for targeted drug delivery. This delivery method can increase the concentration of drugs in diseased tissues, improve drug efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Dextran-NH2 can also be used in tissue engineering as a scaffold material for cell growth and differentiation.
Alternate Names:
Amino-dextran
Aminated dextran
Dextran amine
Aminoethyl dextran
Dextranamine
References:
1. Hriday Bera, et al.; Biopolymer-Based Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications. Dextran-based nanomaterials in drug delivery applications. Academic Press. 2021, 978-0-12-820874-8.
Dextran Formulations as Effective Delivery Systems of Therapeutic Agents
Molecules
Authors: Petrovici AR, Pinteala M, Simionescu N.
Abstract
Dextran is by far one of the most interesting non-toxic, bio-compatible macromolecules, an exopolysaccharide biosynthesized by lactic acid bacteria. It has been extensively used as a major component in many types of drug-delivery systems (DDS), which can be submitted to the next in-vivo testing stages, and may be proposed for clinical trials or pharmaceutical use approval. An important aspect to consider in order to maintain high DDS' biocompatibility is the use of dextran obtained by fermentation processes and with a minimum chemical modification degree. By performing chemical modifications, artefacts can appear in the dextran spatial structure that can lead to decreased biocompatibility or even cytotoxicity. The present review aims to systematize DDS depending on the dextran type used and the biologically active compounds transported, in order to obtain desired therapeutic effects. So far, pure dextran and modified dextran such as acetalated, oxidised, carboxymethyl, diethylaminoethyl-dextran and dextran sulphate sodium, were used to develop several DDSs: microspheres, microparticles, nanoparticles, nanodroplets, liposomes, micelles and nanomicelles, hydrogels, films, nanowires, bio-conjugates, medical adhesives and others. The DDS are critically presented by structures, biocompatibility, drugs loaded and therapeutic points of view in order to highlight future therapeutic perspectives.
Preparation and drug delivery of dextran-drug complex
Drug Deliv.
Authors: Huang S, Huang G.
Abstract
Dextran as a drug carrier for inhibiting cancer cells effectively reduces the toxic and side effects of the drug in the biological body. Targeting improves the concentration of active substance around the target tissue, which reduces damage to other heavy organs and other normal tissues. Dextran will be a potential carrier for the delivery of antitumor drugs in the future, which provides the possibility of slow-release chemotherapy and targeted drug delivery. Herein, the preparation and drug delivery of dextran-drug complex were summarized and discussed in detail.
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