Cellulose-based and polysaccharide delivery systems for phytochemicals in MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 treatment: A systematic review of therapeutic potential

Phytochemical delivery systems often suffer from poor bioavailability and stability, limiting their therapeutic impact against coronaviruses. Polysaccharide-based carriers offer promising alternatives due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and potential for functionalization. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of cellulose-based and other polysaccharide delivery systems in enhancing phytochemical delivery for MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 treatment. Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2024. Twenty studies meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed for delivery system performance, including particle characterization, drug loading efficiency, and therapeutic outcomes. Chitosan-based systems exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (86.8 %) and bioavailability enhancement (10.04-fold). Cellulose nanocrystals showed favorable particle size (100–250 nm) and drug loading capacity (72.5 %). Hybrid systems offered sustained stability up to 72 h under physiological conditions. All systems demonstrated good safety profiles, with cell viability exceeding 85 %. Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences between carrier types (p < 0.05), with chitosan systems performing best overall. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of polysaccharide-based delivery systems for coronavirus treatment. Future research should address the limited data on MERS-CoV-specific systems and standardize methodologies to enhance cross-study comparability.