Advances of Technologies in Preparing Natural Polysaccharides Carriers Used in Controlled Drug Release

The controlled drug release systems are an important research field in biomedical materials applications. Its effectiveness largely depends on the good properties of drug carriers. Natural polysaccharides are always the focus of research both in China and abroad because they have unique advantages compared with synthesized polymers. Review on the preparing methods for polysaccharides carriers used as microspheres and microcapsules, hydrogels, as well as compressed membrane was made. Also some existing drawbacks were discussed and the emphasis was put forward for the future research work.