Therapeutic applications of carbohydrate-based compounds: a sweet solution for medical advancement.

Abstract

Carbohydrates, one of the most abundant biomolecules found in nature, have been seen traditionally as a dietary component of foods. Recent findings, however, have unveiledtheir medicinal potential in the form of carbohydrates-derived drugs. Their remarkable structural diversity, high optical purity, bioavailability, low toxicity and the presence of multiple functional groups have positioned them as a valuable scaffold and an exciting frontier in contemporary therapeutics. At present, more than 170 carbohydrates-based therapeutics have been granted approval by varying regulatory agencies such as United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This article exploresan overview of the fascinating potential and impact of carbohydrate-derived compounds as pharmacological agents and drug delivery vehicles.