Journal of Complex Adaptive Systems

Journal of Complex Adaptive Systems

Novel Drug Delivery Systems Based on Biological Origins: Nano-Lignin and Cellulose-Derived Nanocarriers for Controlled and Targeted Therapeutics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Wood and Cellulose Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Objective: The need for safer, more effective, and more sustainable treatments has increased interest in nanomaterials derived from biological sources. Lignocellulosic biomass, composed mainly of lignin and cellulose, is one renewable source of such carriers. This review critically evaluates nano-lignin and cellulose-derived nanocarriers (cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial nanocellulose) as sustainable drug delivery systems, with emphasis on preparation, functionalization, release behaviour, safety, translational barriers, and future biomedical applications.
Methods: Nano-lignin exhibits antioxidant and ultraviolet-shielding activity and binds hydrophobic drugs through its aromatic network via π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Nanocellulose provides mechanical reinforcement, a large surface area, adjustable surface chemistry, and generally good biocompatibility. Preparation methods (antisolvent precipitation, ultrasonication, acid hydrolysis, TEMPO-mediated oxidation) strongly influence particle morphology and drug-loading efficiency. Release is typically diffusion-controlled or stimuli-responsive (pH, redox, enzyme). Biomedical evidence spans cancer therapy, antimicrobial delivery, and wound healing. Hybrid lignin–cellulose systems show complementary mechanical and biological advantages. Translation remains limited by structural heterogeneity, batch-to-batch variation, demanding purification procedures, and the lack of standardized long-term toxicology and pharmacokinetic data.
Results: Nano-lignin and nanocellulose offer distinct yet complementary platforms for controlled and targeted drug delivery. Clinical development is constrained by feedstock variability and the requirements of pharmaceutical standardization, scale-up, and sterilization. Priority research directions include hybrid lignin–cellulose systems, quality-by-design manufacturing, and life-cycle assessment so that clinical performance and environmental cost can be evaluated together. These carriers should be judged on measurable performance and safety, not solely on their renewable origin.
Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by proposing the integrated SMART framework and illuminating the critical interplay between AI disclosure, greenwashing perceptions, and consumer trust in sustainability communication, offering a foundational theoretical model for future empirical investigations.
Keywords

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