Beta-Glucan Microspheres: A Potential Nanocarrier System for Targeted Administration of Vanillin in The Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a major health challenge worldwide till today leading to high mortality rate. This review delves into the potential of vanillin, a naturally derived compound, as a promising therapeutic intervention for CVDs.  Vanillin found in beans of Vanilla plant is an organic compound that reduces the lipid content and posesses high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties that contribute significantly to mitigating the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. To optimise vanillin's therapeutic impact, we propose encapsulating it within beta-glucan microspheres. Beta-glucans are bioactive polysaccharides capable of interacting with specific cell surface receptors on cardiovascular cells, potentially modulating intracellular signalling pathways implicated in CVD pathogenesis. This innovative approach holds the promise of modulating immune responses within the cardiovascular system and precisely targeting key cell types involved in CVD pathogenesis. The utilisation of natural products presents several advantages over traditional synthetic drugs. Compounds like vanillin and beta-glucan often possess multiple biological activities, addressing various aspects of CVD simultaneously.    Moreover, they generally exhibit lower toxicity profiles and adverse effects than many pharmaceutical agents. By encapsulating vanillin within beta-glucan microspheres, we can enhance its bioavailability, solubility, and targeted delivery to cardiovascular tissues. This approach also enables sustained release, potentially reducing dosing frequency. We anticipate that harnessing the synergistic effects of vanillin and beta-glucan through this delivery system will yield an improved and effective CVD prevention and treatment strategy.