An overview on recent biomedical applications of biopolymers: Their role in drug delivery systems and comparison of major systems

Polymers are ubiquitous in our daily lives, from workplaces to homes. Biopolymers are becoming more popular as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers because of their lower environmental impact due to their low carbon footprint and easy degradation. The primary aim of developing technology is a better quality of life. Improved therapies and tailor-made treatments are currently the focus of scientists. However, the delivery of drugs has been a long problem in the field of medicine. As a result, many drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been created for this purpose. Among these, nanotechnology-based DDSs, especially nanofibers, hold a promising future. This review focuses on the importance of naturally abundant biopolymers in recent medical applications, especially their role in DDSs, and provides a crucial comparison of the merits and demerits of the major DDSs for researchers to develop tailor-made DDSs.