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Review
. 2018 Oct 2;23(10):2527.
doi: 10.3390/molecules23102527.

Polymeric Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Antimalarials

Zandile Mhlwatika  1 , Blessing Atim Aderibigbe  2
Affiliations
Review

Polymeric Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Antimalarials

Zandile Mhlwatika et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite which is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes around tropical and sub-tropical regions. Half of the world's population is at risk of being infected by malaria. This mainly includes children, pregnant women and people living with chronic diseases. The main factor that has contributed to the spread of this disease is the increase in the number of drug-resistant parasites. To overcome drug resistance, researchers have developed drug delivery systems from biodegradable polymers for the loading of antimalarials. The drug delivery systems were characterized by distinct features such as good biocompatibility, high percentage drug encapsulation, reduced drug toxicity and targeted drug delivery. In this review article, we highlight the various types of drug delivery systems developed from polymeric nanocarriers used for the delivery of antimalarials.

Keywords: antimalarials; biodegradable polymers; drug delivery; drug resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The life cycle of malaria parasite.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Antimalarials loaded onto polymer based carriers: (A) Chloroquine, (B) Primaquine, (C) Curcumin, (D) Lumefantrine, (E) Artemisinin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Antimalarials loaded onto polymer based carriers: (A) Chloroquine, (B) Primaquine, (C) Curcumin, (D) Lumefantrine, (E) Artemisinin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic diagram of: (A) cross-linked hydrogel (B) Hydrogel encapsulated with drugs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic diagram of micelles.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Schematic diagram of nanoliposomes.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic diagram of dendrimers encapsulated with drugs.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Schematic diagram of polymer-drug conjugates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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