Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
An Overview of Supramolecular Platforms Boosting Drug Delivery
Rosa Bellavita1, Simone Braccia1, Annarita Falanga2
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples 80131, Italy.
Abstract:
Numerous supramolecular platforms inspired by natural self-assembly are exploited as drug delivery systems. The spontaneous arrangement of single building blocks into inorganic and organic structures is determined and controlled by noncovalent forces such as electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions. This review describes the main structures and characteristics of several building blocks used to obtain stable, self-assembling nanostructures tailored for numerous biological applications. Owing to their versatility, biocompatibility, and controllability, these nanostructures find application in diverse fields ranging from drug/gene delivery, theranostics, tissue engineering, and nanoelectronics. Herein, we described the different approaches used to design and functionalize these nanomaterials to obtain selective drug delivery in a specific disease. In particular, the review highlights the efficiency of these supramolecular structures in applications related to infectious diseases and cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Delivery: Overview
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Physicochemical Parameters
Enhanced drug absorption can be achieved by reducing particle sizes and increasing surface areas, thereby facilitating...
Prodrugs
Prodrugs help overcome...
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters

