# Research Progress of Polysaccharide-Gold Nanocomplexes in Drug Delivery
## 1 Introduction
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Types of Nanomaterials** & **Advantages** & **Drawbacks** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Dendritic polymers} & good absorption and bioavailability, easy surface modifications [11], low toxicity, non-immunogenic and good pharmacokinetics [12] & complex arrangements, special reaction difficulties, and cationic dendritic polymers often exhibit high toxicity [11] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{PLGA nanocarriers} & biodegradable, biocompatible, slow-releasing [13] & poor binding of negatively charged drugs, rapidly cleared in vivo, unable to recognize cells, not selective [14; 15] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{PEI} & excellent biocompatibility and high transfection efficiency [13] & potential cytotoxicity following intracellular accumulation [16] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Magnetic nanoparticles} & superparamagnetic, reduces the distribution of cytotoxic substances in cells, and increases cellular uptake at targeted sites [17] & poor biocompatibility, hydrophobic surface, large specific surface area prone to cluster formation and thus embolization [17] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{AuNPs} & easy surface modification, size and shape control, photothermal effect, enhanced cellular uptake, increased drug toxicity, tumor growth inhibition, and selective drug targeting [18] & surface-dependent toxicity, poor stability under physiological conditions [19; 20] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Mesoporous silica nanoparticles} & highly biocompatible, controllable shape and size, allows for effective drug accumulation, improved drug stability and solubility [21] & not easy to store; restrictive drug loading; drug interactions in the mesoporous lumen [21] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Liposome} & targeting tumors, promoting the mobility and durability of anticancer drugs, and improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of chemotherapeutic agents [9] & poor stability, low solubility, multidrug resistance, payload leakage, and phospholipid oxidation [22; 23] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Carbon nanotubes} & enhanced electrical conductivity & \multirow{4}{*}{non-biodegradable, poorly} \\  & and strength, easy to functionalized, easy to be & dispersed, and prone to \\ \cline{1-1}  & absorbed by a variety of cells, & aggregation and \\ \cline{1-1}  & unique optical properties can & cytotoxicity [24] \\ \cline{1-1}  & improve phototherapy [24] & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Advantages and disadvantages of different nanocarriers. ery [19]. However, despite ongoing developments, inorganic nanomaterials are still not available for clinical use. One of the primary reasons for this is their potential toxicity in the human body. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on modifying and improving these materials. Fortunately, advancements in the field have made it possible to minimize the toxicity they produce through surface modification and the design of biocompatible coatings. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate composed of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They are abundant in nature, making them a readily available and cost-effective resource. Furthermore, due to their chemical structure, polysaccharides can be easily modified to suit specific applications [30]. In addition to their versatility, polysaccharides exhibit a wide range of biological activities. These include antitumor properties, which can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells [31]. Furthermore, polysaccharides possess antioxidant capabilities, contributing to their ability to combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of various diseases [32]. They exhibit antibacterial effects, enabling them to fight harmful bacteria and protect against infections [33]. Moreover, polysaccharides are known for their hypoglycemic properties, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and support diabetes management. Polysaccharide nanocarriers are the focus of current research [34].