Table 4.

Characterization, target indications, drug release pattern, and cytotoxicity of albumin and functionalized albumin nanoparticles prepared by thermal gelation

Albumin used	Temperature, time, pH	Functionalizing or conjugating agent	Drug or antioxidant loaded	Target indication	Outcome or application†	Reference
Egg albumin in water	80 °C, 30 min, 5.4	Chitosan, PEG400	Alprazolam (ALP)	–	Particle diameter: 260 nm, ZP: −9.0 mV, DEE: 99.4%. Initial burst, then sustained release of ALP (85%) up to 24 h • Excellent carrier for sustained delivery of lipophilic drugs	[81]
Egg albumin in water	80 °C, 30 min, 5.4	Chitosan, Carbopol 940	Aceclofenac (ACA)	–	Particle diameter: 353 nm, ZP: −22.1 mV DEE: 96%. Initial burst, then slow release of ACA (54%–88%) in 8 h • Carbopol 940 gel containing NPs exhibited faster permeation of ACA	[82]
BSA in water	90 °C, 2 h, 4.2	Chitosan (CS)	β-Carotene (CRT)	–	DEE: 46%, DLC: 9.3% Hydrodynamic radius: 70–100 nm. CS-BSA NPs were prepared by electrostatic adsorption, followed by thermal treatment	[83]

^†Particle diameters are approximate; BSA, bovine serum albumin; Egg albumin = ovalbumin; DEE, drug entrapment efficiency (approximate); DLC, drug-loading capacity (approximate); PEG, polyethylene glycol; ZP, zeta potential.