Institute for Medicinal Plant Reasearch „Dr Josif Pančić“ , Belgrade , Serbia
Department for pharmaceutical technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Institute for Medicinal Plant Reasearch „Dr Josif Pančić“ , Belgrade , Serbia
Institute for Medicinal Plant Reasearch „Dr Josif Pančić“ , Belgrade , Serbia
Institute for Medicinal Plant Reasearch „Dr Josif Pančić“ , Belgrade , Serbia
In recent years, drug delivery systems are especially interesting because they allow therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects. Conjugates of hyaluronic acid and chemotherapeutic agents, especially taxol, have been recognized as excellent solution for many therapeutic indications. The aim of conjugation of taxol with hyaluronic acid was the toxicity reduction on healthy cells and increase of selectivity on tumor cells. Hyaluronic acid could be used in various pharmaceutical preparations, also in parenteral, because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Hyaluronic acid as a carrier belongs to in situ gelling systems, which is passing a phase transition in response to external conditions such as temperature, different pH value or the presence of ions, enabling prolonged effect of the drug substances. Many tumor cells have a large number of receptors for hyaluronic acid, which has a great affinity for the tumor cells. The incorporation of taxol in gelling system of hyaluronic acid provides sustained drug release, increased anticancer activity, reduced damage of healthy cells and increased selectivity on cancer cells.
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