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Published on: May 4, 2021
Oral Delivery Systems for Gasotransmitters in Therapeutic Applications
Yongwu Chen1, Jiahui Sheng1, Jian Cheng1
1Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China and Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
Polymer Science & Technology (Washington, D.C.)
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Oral delivery of therapeutic gases like nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) shows promise. Polymer systems enhance delivery, overcoming challenges for improved gasotransmitter therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Gasotransmitters (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide) are vital signaling molecules in physiological and pathological processes.
- Their therapeutic potential is hindered by short half-lives and poor targeting, limiting clinical use.
- Oral delivery offers a noninvasive route with high patient compliance for gasotransmitter therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advancements in oral delivery systems for gasotransmitters (NO, CO, H2S).
- To highlight the role of polymer-based systems in overcoming delivery challenges.
- To discuss barriers to clinical translation and outline future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on oral gasotransmitter delivery systems.
- Focus on prodrug design, controlled release mechanisms, and carrier engineering.
- Analysis of in vivo release mechanisms and technological challenges.
Main Results:
- Polymer-based systems are crucial for controlled release, stability, and bioavailability of oral gasotransmitters.
- Prodrug strategies and advanced carrier engineering are key to effective oral delivery.
- Significant progress has been made in understanding in vivo release kinetics.
Conclusions:
- Oral delivery platforms, particularly polymer-based systems, offer a promising strategy for therapeutic gas delivery.
- Addressing technological barriers is essential for successful clinical translation of these therapies.
- Further research into optimized oral delivery platforms will advance gasotransmitter-based therapeutics.
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