Fucoidan-based nanostructures: A focus on its combination with chitosan and the surface functionalization of metallic nanoparticles for drug delivery

Although fucoidan (FU) shows potential bioactivity against various diseases, it has also been demonstrated to be an excellent material for nanodelivery. FU can be utilized to prepare nanoparticles for drug loading or to stabilize nanoparticles and is often incorporated into nanostructure materials to extend or maximize its role in theranostics applications. This review discusses strategies involving FU and other material combinations used as nanostructures for biomedical applications with a focus on chitosan-FU mixtures for oral delivery and FU-based surface functionalization for targeting and theranostics. The ability of FU to form different nanostructures is also reviewed. Moreover, various types and mechanisms of combinations involving FU-based nanostructures are discussed. A discussion of the current outlook and future studies provides ideas for more efficacious methods for FU-based nanoparticles and could enable their utilization in clinical trials.