Galactomannans are naturally occurring biocompatible and biodegradable nonionic polysaccharides comprised of mannose and galactose residues. They are under investigation for the design of various drug delivery carriers such as matrix tablets, microparticles, nanoparticles/nanocomposites, polymeric micelles, hydrogels, as well as pharmaceutical excipients. Amongst galactomannans, guar gum, locust bean gum, and fenugreek gum are the biomaterials mostly investigated for their potential utility as nanocarriers for various purposes, either in their native or modified forms. The galactomannan-based nanomaterials have been fabricated by adopting various strategies. These galactomannan nanomaterials have been tested for oral vaccination, oral insulin delivery, cancer cell & macrophage targeting, controlled drug delivery, heavy metal extraction and wound dressing applications. The galactomannan has attracted the attention of researchers as reducing agents for the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles as well. These nanometals have shown improved antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities. In vitro toxicity of the nanomaterials is also assessed in some instances. Others such as cassia gum, tara gum, Delonix, Leucaena leucocephala, Punica granatum galactomannans are amongst the least studied materials for biological applications. This review describes various strategies adopted for the synthesis of galactomannan-based nanomaterials, their properties and applications, especially in the field of drug delivery.

半乳甘露聚糖是天然存在的生物相容性和可生物降解的非离子多糖，由甘露糖和半乳糖残基组成。他们正在研究各种药物输送载体的设计，例如基质片剂，微粒，纳米颗粒/纳米复合材料，聚合物胶束，水凝胶以及药物赋形剂。在半乳甘露聚糖中，瓜耳胶，刺槐豆胶和胡芦巴胶是最受研究的生物材料，其以其天然或修饰形式作为各种用途的纳米载体的潜在用途。基于半乳甘露聚糖的纳米材料已经通过采用各种策略来制造。这些半乳甘露聚糖纳米材料已经过口服疫苗接种，口服胰岛素输送，癌细胞和巨噬细胞靶向，可控药物输送，重金属提取和伤口敷料的应用。半乳甘露聚糖也作为金属纳米颗粒绿色合成的还原剂引起了研究人员的注意。这些纳米金属已显示出改善的抗微生物，抗氧化和抗癌活性。在某些情况下，还评估了纳米材料的体外毒性。其他如决明子胶，塔拉胶，Delonix，银合欢，矮牵牛半乳甘露聚糖是生物学研究最少的材料之一。这篇综述描述了用于合成基于半乳甘露聚糖的纳米材料的各种策略，它们的性质和应用，特别是在药物递送领域。