Fucoidan-based Drug-Delivery Vehicle Development Service

Fucoidan-based Drug-Delivery Vehicle Development Service at CD BioGlyco

Fucoidan is a heterogeneous polysaccharide isolated from the extracellular matrix and cell walls of brown algae and marine invertebrates. It consists of the sulfated backbone of various sugar monomers, such as L-fucose, galactose, glucose, xylose, etc. Fucoidan binds to a variety of compounds and macromolecules, which mainly depends on the negatively charged surface, degree of sulfation, and molecular weight. The conjugate maintains high stability under acidic and alkaline conditions, making it an ideal drug delivery vehicle. CD BioGlyco has a professional team and technical experts with deep knowledge and experience in fucoidan and its applications. We provide high-level fucoidan-based drug-delivery vehicle development service.

• Fucoidan preparation service
  • Extraction: We dry and grind the harvested algae and extract fucoidan using traditional solvents (acetone, ethanol) or modern methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE).
  • Purification: We purify fucoidan using chromatographic techniques or molecular rejection membranes.
• Fucoidan-based vehicle development service: CD BioGlyco provides the design and development of custom fucoidan-based drug delivery vehicles according to client needs and drug characteristics to achieve optimal drug delivery performance.
  • Nanoparticles: We choose fucoidan as the main vehicle material and combine it with other materials such as polymers or metal nanoparticles as needed to control the vehicle performance. Commonly used methods for preparing nanoparticles include self-assembly and ionic cross-linking.
    • Self-assembly technology enables fucoidan particles to arrange themselves into specific structures. This self-assembled complex is stable at pH 7.4 (blood pH). When the pH is reduced to 4.5 (tumor cell pH) or 1.5 (gastric pH), the electrostatic interactions become weaker, increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles. and releases the loaded drug.
    • Ionic cross-linking technology is based on the interaction between negatively charged fucoidan and positively charged polymers (such as chitosan, polypropylamine hydrochloride, hexadecylamine, polyethylenimine), which is a common technique for preparing drug-loaded nanoparticles.
  • Liposomes: We use a film-mixing method to prepare liposomes, which mix fucoidan, phospholipids, and cholesterol in a certain proportion and form a film in a solvent. Subsequently, the film is redissolved via rotary or solvent evaporation to form liposomes. Fucoidan protects drug-loaded liposomes from leakage and sudden release, and increases the stability and bioactivity of the vehicle, thereby improving its overall bioavailability.
  • Microspheres: We choose polymers such as gelatin, chitosan, etc. as materials for preparing microspheres. We dissolve fucoidan and polymers in solvents and then gelate the solution by adjusting the pH value or adding cross-linking agents. Subsequently, the gel is cut or ground into microspheres.
  • Hydrogels: An important characteristic of hydrogels is they absorb exudate and provide adequate moisture. We choose natural polymers such as gelatin, sodium alginate, etc. as materials and prepare hydrogels through different methods.
    • Chemical cross-linking: We dissolve fucoidan and polymer in a solvent, and cross-link the solution by adding a cross-linking agent or adjusting the pH value to form a hydrogel.
    • Physical cross-linking: We change the structure of the hydrogel through conditions such as temperature, pH value, or ionic strength to achieve gelation.
• Proven drug encapsulation and modification service: We provide drug encapsulation and modification for different types of fucoidan-based vehicles.
  • Encapsulating drugs: We encapsulate drugs inside the vehicle through electrostatic interaction, covalent bonding, or physical adsorption.
  • Surface modification: We perform surface modifications on the prepared vehicles to enhance targeting performance, stability, or controlled release properties. Common approaches include chemical modification, polymer coating, or covalent conjugation of targeting ligands.

In addition, we provide comprehensive characterization and evaluation for fucoidan-based vehicles to verify the performance of the vehicles.

Fig.1 Fucoidan-based drug-delivery vehicle development service. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Technology: Self-assembly, spectrophotometry

Journal: Marine Drugs

IF: 6.085

Published: 2014

Results: The authors used a polyelectrolyte self-assembly method to prepare chitosan/fucoidan-based nanoparticles (NP) as the vehicle of the drug delivery system and used gentamicin (GM) as a model drug to conduct in vitro release tests, and the release curve of GM in NP was quantified using spectrophotometry. The results showed that the release of GM showed biphasic characteristics. The first stage was the rapid release period, the dissolved GM was easily diffused into the release medium due to the hydrophilicity of GM. The slow release profile in the second phase was due to the degradation of the formed NPs. NPs controlled the release of GM for up to 72 hours, with a release rate of 99%. Therefore, the NPs prepared in this study effectively delivered antibiotic GM to the lungs.

Fig.2 Release profile of GM in NP. (Huang & Li, 2014)

Applications

• Drug sensitizer: The combined use of fucoidan and drugs helps improve the bioavailability, stability, and anti-tumor activity of drugs.
• Biomimetic materials: The natural properties of fucoidan are used to develop biomimetic materials, such as artificial blood vessels, tissue repair scaffolds, etc., to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration.
• Medical research: Fucoidan has been prepared as a functional vehicle and is applied in medical applications such as wound healing and repair.

Advantages

• Cutting-edge solutions: CD BioGlyco focuses on research and development, constantly exploring new applications of fucoidan and improving existing vehicle technologies to provide clients with cutting-edge solutions.
• Diversified vehicles: We have professional teams and modern technical means that prepare fucoidan into vehicles of different shapes and structures, suitable for different administration routes.
• Efficiency: We respond quickly to client needs provide efficient fucoidan-based vehicle development projects, and provide custom solutions according to client needs.

As a natural polysaccharide, fucoidan has a wide range of application potential. CD BioGlyco provides many types of fucoidan-based development services, such as Vaccine Development and Tissue Engineering Development. In addition, fucoidan is a controllable vehicle material, we provide custom vehicle design and development services according to the drug characteristics. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in our development details.