Drug Delivery System using Carboxymethylated Tunicate Cellulose-based Nanogels

초록

This research develops nanogels for drug delivery using cellulose extracted from tunicate shell by-products, which are typically discarded despite containing high-crystallinity cellulose superior to plant sources. TCMC's hydrophilicity and viscoelasticity enhance drug retention and delivery efficiency, while its crosslinked structure enables controlled drug release. With high biocompatibility, TCMC overcomes the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. This approach simultaneously recycles waste and creates a novel drug delivery system, contributing to marine by-products' value-added utilization and biopharmaceutical applications' advancement.