title: Hydrogels for controlled pulmonary delivery.
abstract: A significant number of research articles have focused on pulmonary delivery as an alternative administration route owing to no first-pass metabolism, low protease activity, thin epithelium barrier and large surface area in the lung system. Controlled release in the pulmonary delivery system further reduces loading dose, frequency of dosing and systemic side effects, and also increases duration of action and patient compliance. Compared with other microparticles used in controlled-release pulmonary administration, hydrogels (3D polymeric matrix networks) have recently been investigated due to their swelling and mucoadhesive properties that could help bypass pulmonary delivery barriers. This review introduces controlled-release drug delivery to the lung, followed by a summary of currently available approaches for controlled-release pulmonary drug delivery. Lastly, the origin, advantages, detailed applications and concerns of hydrogels in pulmonary delivery are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutics, The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Ju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Hugh D C
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011108:Polymers