Hydrophobic modification of polysaccharides and the construction and properties of their micelles: a review of applications in the field of biomedicine

Nanomedicine delivery technology plays an important role in modern medicine and has shown good therapeutic effects in scientific research. Polysaccharides have the characteristics of wide sources, excellent biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. In addition, there are multifunctional groups on the main chain of polysaccharides, which can be surface-modified or functionalized to have targeting ability through specific sugar parts. Amphiphilic polysaccharide micelles with good biocompatibility, degradability, high safety, easy structural modification, and special core-shell structure are regarded as ideal carriers for nanomedicines. Therefore, this review is focused on the hydrophobic modification designs of polysaccharides, the preparation methods and characteristics of micelles, and the applications of amphiphilic polysaccharide micelles in the field of biomedicine. It is expected to provide some ideas and inspiration for the design of polysaccharide drug carriers.