Sugar-coated nanoparticles in healthcare: From laboratory innovations to clinical applications.

Sugar-coated nanoparticles (SCNPs) are revolutionizing nanomedicine by enhancing targeted drug delivery and precision therapeutics. Functionalized with sugars such as mannose, dextran, and maltose, SCNPs leverage glycan interactions to achieve superior therapeutic efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. These nanoparticles address multifactorial diseases, including cancer, tuberculosis, and neurodegenerative disorders, by improving drug solubility, bioavailability, and targeted cellular uptake. Recent developments have expanded SCNP applications to include maltose-functionalized dendrimers and glycodendrimersomes, offering multivalent targeting and self-assembly properties. These systems have shown promise in overcoming challenges like multidrug resistance and achieving pH-responsive drug release. Clinical and preclinical studies highlight the efficacy of glycan-functionalized nanoparticles, from glucose-based carriers crossing the blood-brain barrier to galactose-coated systems targeting liver cancer. This review explores the structural diversity, mechanisms of action, and translational potential of SCNPs. By incorporating clinical case studies, discussions on glycodendrimers, and schematic illustrations, the manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of SCNP innovations. Future directions emphasize integrating AI-driven design and sustainable synthesis methods to optimize SCNPs for personalized medicine. As a cornerstone of next-generation therapeutics, SCNPs hold immense potential to transform healthcare by offering safer, more effective, and economically viable solutions for complex diseases, advancing the boundaries of precision nanomedicine.