Table 5.

Characterization, target indications, drug release pattern, and cytotoxicity of albumin and functionalized albumin nanoparticles prepared by nab technology

Albumin used	Organic phase	Functionalizing or conjugating agent	Drug or antioxidant loaded	Target indication	Outcome or application	Reference
HSA in water	Chloroform + ethanol mixture	–	Tacrolimus (TAC)	Rheumatoid arthritis	Particle diameter: 186 nm, ZP: −30.5 mV, DEE: 79%, DLC: 1.5% Increased solubility (46 times) in water than free TAC 94% release of TAC in 24 h • Excellent tumor targeting and antiarthritic activity	[84]
HSA in water	Chloroform	–	Gem-C14	Pancreatic cancer	Particle diameter: 150 nm, ZP: −10.2 mV, DEE: 83%., DLC: 10% 82% of slow GEM release in 90 h • An excellent inhibitory effect on tumor growth in the BxPc-3 cell line	[85]
HSA in water	Mixed organic phase	–	Gambogic acid (GmA)	Lung cancer	Particle diameter: 135 nm, ZP: −21.81 mV, DEE: 99.3%, DLC: 11% Nanopowder is stable for up to 12 months • 69% of slow GmA release in 72 h • Increased TGI than GmA and GmA-Arg in A549-bearing mice.	[86]
BSA in water	Chloroform + ethanol mixture	Lactobionic acid	Doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX)	Liver cancer	Particle diameter: 148 nm, ZP: −54.1 mV 84% PAC and 73% DOX release in 24 h • Lactose residue exhibits high receptor affinity toward ASGPR 62% internalization in HepG2 cells • Improved therapeutic efficacy against HepG2 cells	[87]

^†Particle diameters are approximate; ASGPR, asialoglycoprotein receptor; BSA, bovine serum albumin; DEE, drug entrapment efficiency (approximate); DLC, drug-loading capacity (approximate); Gem-C14, 4-N-myristoyl-gemcitabine; HSA, human serum albumin; TGI, tumor growth inhibition rate; ZP, zeta potential.