eng Oriental Scientific Publishing Company Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal 0974-6242 2026-07-29 19 3 72838 article Manthina Mohan Varma 1 Bonthagarala Brahmaiya 1 Mudundi Tejomanasa 1 Routhu Sai Varshitha 1 Baby Lakshmi Sravani Kollipara 1 Pharmaceutics Department, Shri Vishnu College of Pharmacy, Bhimavaram, India Natural polymers have evolved from conventional biomaterials into sophisticated platforms for nanoscale drug delivery, offering a promising solution to the limitations of traditional therapeutic systems. Natural polymers are derived from plant, animal, and microbial sources, biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins, and exhibit inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-immunogenicity, and structural similarity to biological macromolecules, making them ideal candidates for Nanocarrier development. This review comprehensively discusses the transition from nature-derived polymers to advanced nanocarriers, emphasising their role in modern drug delivery systems. The article outlines the classification of natural polymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, and composite systems with special emphasis on polymers of Indian origin such as gum karaya, gum Gatti, Butea Monosperma gum, guggul, chitosan, and cellulose-based fibres. Polymeric nanocarriers, particularly Nanospheres and Nanocapsules, are examined in detail with respect to their structure, drugloading mechanisms, release behaviour, and therapeutic relevance. Various Nanoparticle fabrication techniques, such as solvent evaporation, emulsification diffusion, salting-out, nanoprecipitation, dialysis, and supercritical fluid technology, are systematically discussed. The review further explores diverse applications of biopolymeric Nanocarriers in controlled and targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy, wound healing, tissue engineering, gene delivery, antimicrobial therapy, vaccine delivery, and theranostics. Additionally, clinically approved and advanced biopolymer-based Nanoparticle formulations, including albumin-bound paclitaxel, dextran-coated iron oxide Nanoparticles, cyclodextrin-based nano-pharmaceuticals, and emerging chitosan and alginate systems, are summarised to highlight translational success. Finally, prospects focusing on smart stimuli-responsive systems, multifunctional theranostic platforms, antioxidant Nanocarriers, and challenges related to large-scale manufacturing and regulatory compliance are discussed. Overall, this review highlights the growing clinical and commercial potential of natural polymer-based nanocarriers as transformative tools in next-generation drug delivery and personalised medicine. https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol19no3/from-nature-to-nanocarriers-advancements-in-naturalpolymer-drug-delivery-systems/ Biopolymers Nano-capsules Nanocarriers Nanoparticles Nanospheres Natural Polymers