Hydrogels as Potential Nano-, Micro- and Macro-Scale Systems for Controlled Drug Delivery
Adam Chyzy1, Monika Tomczykowa1, Marta E Plonska-Brzezinska1
1Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 8, 2020
Summary
This review analyzes hydrogel (HG) design for drug delivery, covering fundamental properties, fabrication methods, and applications. It highlights how HG size impacts their use as biocompatible drug carriers in medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Hydrogels (HGs) are crucial in drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and tunable properties.
- Understanding HG fundamental principles is key to optimizing their medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an extensive evaluation of hydrogel design and formation for drug delivery.
- To analyze the influence of HG properties on biological behavior and applications.
- To discuss novel drug delivery strategies using hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of recent reports on hydrogel synthesis and drug delivery.
- Analysis of hydrogel fundamental principles, including chemical structures, properties, and synthesis routes.
- Evaluation of fabrication strategies for macro-, micro-, and nano-sized hydrogels.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel properties significantly influence their biological interactions and drug release profiles.
- Fabrication strategies allow for control over hydrogel size (macro, micro, nano), impacting their utility as drug carriers.
- Biocompatible hydrogel materials offer versatile platforms for advanced drug delivery systems.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogel design and fabrication are critical for effective drug delivery applications.
- The size and properties of hydrogels dictate their suitability for various medical uses.
- Further research into novel hydrogel-based drug delivery methods can enhance therapeutic outcomes.
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