Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry

  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue: 6

Polymer-based hydrogels as enhanced drug delivery system

  • Author:
  • Akash Jakkannavar, Sneha Patil*, Mrityunjaya Patil
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • Published Online: Sep 2, 2025
  • Page Number: 392 to 398

Department of Pharmacognosy, KLE College of Pharmacy, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka – 590010

Abstract

Hydrogels, which are made of three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that can hold a lot of water, are a diverse class of materials that have many uses in a variety of industries. With an emphasis on their uses in biomedical research, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and environmental cleanup, this review offers a thorough summary of the characteristics, synthesis techniques, and major uses of hydrogels. The basic features of hydrogels, such as their swelling behavior, mechanical attributes, and biodegradability, are first described in the article. A detailed discussion is provided of the various synthesis strategies, including chemical and physical cross-linking, and how they affect the structural and functional characteristics of the resulting hydrogels. The article goes into additional detail about the state-of-the-art uses of hydrogels, especially in the medical arena, where they are employed in targeted drug delivery systems, wound healing, and the development of artificial tissues and organs. This paper examines the drawbacks of hydrogels, including their limited mechanical strength, sensitivity to environmental changes, and biocompatibility issues, in addition to their current applications. The ultimate goal of this review paper is to close the knowledge gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications by offering a comprehensive grasp of hydrogels. It highlights the necessity for ongoing research to get over current obstacles and increase the applications of hydrogels in both the scientific and industrial realms. It provides insights into the potential for hydrogels to revolutionize industries.

Keywords

Hydrogels, Drug delivery, Drug release mechanism and Polymers