Polymers for Drug Delivery System: A Review
Pharmaceutical invention and research are now increasingly focusing on delivery systems which enhance desirable therapeutic objectives while minimizing side effects. Drug delivery systems, ranging from implantable electronic devices to single polymer chains, are required to be compatible with processes in the body (biocompatibility) as well as with the drug to be delivered. DDS alter the bio-distribution and pharmacokinetics of the associated drug: that is the time-dependent percentage of the administered dose in the different organs of the body. There are various natural and synthetic polymers are used in drug delivery system. The present communication focuses all these aspects with emphasizes of various polymers used in various drug delivery systems.
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Humankind’s efforts to confront disease dates back to early civilization. Substances taken from nature were tested and used to treat dysfunctions of physiological life processes, pain and discomfort. With the advancement of science, the active ingredients of these materials, the drugs, were identified, isolated and their mechanism of action elucidated. Drug activity is a result of molecular interaction(s) in certain cells & therefore it is necessary for the drug to reach somehow the site of action following administration (oral, intravenous, local, transdermal, etc.) at sufficient concentrations. The scientific field dealing with this issue is known as drug delivery and has essentially the following aim: to deliver the drug at the right place, at the right concentration for the right period of time. When this is impossible by simply selecting an appropriate administration route, or if such administration causes patient discomfort, strategies based on the association of the drug with a carrier (a drug delivery system – DDS) are an alternative.
Pharmaceutical invention and research are now increasingly focusing on delivery systems which enhance desirable therapeutic objectives while minimizing side effects. Carrier-mediated drug delivery has emerged as a powerful methodology for the treatment of various pathologies. The therapeutic index of traditional and novel drugs is enhanced via the increase of specificity due to targeting of drugs to a particular tissue, cell or intracellular compartment, the control over release kinetics, the protection of the active agent or a combination of the above.
Drug delivery systems, ranging from implantable electronic devices to single polymer chains, are required to be compatible with processes in the body (biocompatibility) as well as with the drug to be delivered. DDS alter the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the assosciated drug: that is the time-dependent percentage of the administered dose in the different organs of the body. Furthermore, obstacles arising from low drug solubility, degradation (environmental or enzymatic), fast clearance rates, non-specific toxicity, inability to cross biological barriers, just to mention a few, may be addressed by DDS.
