Advance of heparin-coated and heparin-based nanoparticles / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To summarize advances in heparin nanoparticles. METHODS: Literatures recently published were searched and reviewed for the structures, synthetic methods, properties and application prospects of heparin nanoparticle. RESULTS: Nowadays, researches are focused on heparin-conjugated nanoparticles and nanoparticles assembled by heparin or heparin derivatives. The former can improve biocompatibility, targeting ability and drug loading capacity, while the latter were utilized in targeting transportation of protein and antitumor drugs. CONCLUSION: The combination of nanoparticles and heparin may bring new possibilities for clinical applications of heparin and improve the biological capabilities of existing medicinal nanoparticles. However, a great deal of problems, such as preparation process, pharmacology and toxicology evaluation, and quality control should be resolved first.