Albumin nanocarriers for colon targeting of therapeutics: A review

Albumin-based biomaterials have emerged as a potential substrate for nanoparticles (NPs) intended for colon specific delivery. Colon specific drug delivery poses challenges due to the severe pH conditions and enzymatic activity present in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These obstacles can be overcome through the application of colon-targeted NPs, which have demonstrated potential approach in the management of colonic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), while facilitating drug delivery. Albumin-based NPs have offered an effective means of multifaceted platform to address these difficulties, owing to their superior biocompatibility, biodegradability and substantial drug-binding potential. This review thoroughly elucidates the efficacy of albumin, encompassing human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and ovalbumin (OVA), as a vehicle for colon-targeted therapeutic delivery. The structural and physicochemical properties of albumin provide efficient drug encapsulation, improved stability, versatile site-specific delivery of chemotherapeutics, peptides, biologics and regulated release in responsiveness to colonic microenvironmental stimuli. Moreover, functionalization techniques such as PEGylation, ligand conjugation, and hybridization with polysaccharides have shown enhanced cellular absorption, targeted distribution, and less systemic toxicity. Generally, albumin-based nanoparticles (AbNPs) offer a promising approach to colon-targeted therapeutic administration that may enhance patient compliance and therapeutic results in the management of colonic disorders.