Unsaturated and thiolated derivatives of polysaccharides as functional matrixes for tissue engineering and pharmacology: A review

• Polysaccharides are important carbohydrate biopolymers for functionalization with reactive C C bonds or thiolate groups. • As for substrates for modification, the preference should be given to polysaccharides with at least two functional groups. • As for modifying agents, the preference should be given to non- or low-toxic ones with cyclic reactive functional groups. • Reactions of thiolates with modified polysaccharides containing double bonds are universal. • Main fields for using modified derivatives of polysaccharides are regenerative medicine and pharmacology. This review examines investigations into the functionalization of polysaccharides by substituents containing multiple (C C) bonds and thiol (SH) groups that are prone to (co)polymerization in the presence of thermal, redox and photoinitiators or Michael addition reactions. A comparative analysis of the approaches to grafting the mentioned substituents onto the polysaccharide macromolecules was conducted. The use of the modified polysaccharides for the design of the 3D structures, including for the development of the pore bearing matrixes of cells or scaffolds utilized in regenerative medicine was examined. These modified polymers were also examined toward the design of excipient matrixes in pharmacological compositions, including with controllable release of active pharmaceuticals, as wel as of antibacterial and antifungal agents and others. In addition, a few examples of the use of modified derivatives in other areas are given.