Lignin-based carriers for drug delivery applications: From an industrial waste to a pharmaceutical aid

Abstract

Lignin is a vastly underutilized aromatic biopolymer which holds a great deal of interest due to its promising inherent properties. It is a second most abundant natural polymer which is generated as a co-product from lignocellulosic biorefineries and paper industry. Utilisation of this industrial waste to fabricate lignin-based carriers can help alleviate the environmental burden. There are numerous notable advantages of lignin such as non-toxicity, biocompatibility and cost-efficiency which permit its utilisation as a carrier for various anticancer drugs. Furthermore, owing to its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, lignin has been explored as a vehicle in various other diseases such as diabetes, orthopedic diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Recently, plethora of advancements have been made to translate lignin into lignin nanoparticles due to its distinctive properties. These nanoparticles can be developed from several types of lignin and isolation procedures which greatly impact their morphology, size, shape, and stability. Besides this, remarkable advancements in the modification of lignin have been made to enhance their exploitation as a carrier for various bioactive substances. This review intends to discuss the scope of lignin as a carrier for various anticancer drugs highlighting the significant results indicating its potential as a propitious drug delivery candidate. Furthermore, the methods of preparation of lignin nanoparticles and its plausible therapeutic effects in various other diseases will be reviewed herein.