Crosslinking Methods in Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery Systems

Polysaccharides are inspiring and valuable molecules to the development of novel drug delivery systems owing their natural availability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, good biological performance, chemical similarity physiological environment, besides noticeable use for tailored-materials assembly. Biodegradable hydrogels based on polysaccharides have been widely studied as potential pharmaceutical forms due controlled release properties, which improve bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, patient compliance. Despite these advantages, polysaccharide materials present insufficient mechanical properties or processability, thus, overcome drawbacks, feasible suitable crosslinking methods employed strength stability. Therefore, this review presents recent advances in hydrogels, including chitosan, cellulose, hyaluronic acid, alginate, providing examples manufacturing processes with emphasis carriers delivery. Polysaccharide-based represent a sustainable, biocompatible, appreciable alternative obtain systems.