Natural Hydrogel-based Drug Delivery System: A Global Scenario, Current Development, and Future Prospective

Area of Science:

• Biomaterial Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Hydrogels are 3D networks of hydrophilic polymers with significant advancements in biomaterial science.
• The global hydrogel-based drug delivery system market is rapidly expanding, projected to reach USD 12,357 million by 2030.
• Hydrogels offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high drug loading capacities, making them ideal for various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental aspects of hydrogels, including their classification and global market trends.
• To highlight current developments and potential applications of hydrogel-based drug delivery systems (DDS).
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogels in therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of hydrogel properties, applications, and market trends.
• Analysis of current research and development in hydrogel-based DDS.
• Discussion of hydrogel advantages, such as controlled release and biocompatibility, and limitations like cost.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels facilitate targeted drug delivery through trigger-responsive release (pH, temperature, enzymes).
• They protect labile drugs, enable multi-agent encapsulation, and enhance bioavailability and patient compliance.
• Applications span drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogels are versatile biomaterials with significant potential for improving therapeutic drug delivery outcomes.
• Continued advancements promise more efficient and effective hydrogel-based DDS.
• Despite challenges like manufacturing costs, hydrogels are a preferred choice for numerous biomedical applications.