title: Natural and synthetic biomaterials for controlled drug delivery.
abstract: A wide variety of delivery systems have been developed and many products based on the drug delivery technology are commercially available. The development of controlled-release technologies accelerated new dosage form design by altering pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles of given drugs, resulting in improved efficacy and safety. Various natural or synthetic polymers have been applied to make matrix, reservoir or implant forms due to the characteristics of polymers, especially ease of control for modifications of biocompatibility, biodegradation, porosity, charge, mechanical strength and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. Hydrogel is a hydrophilic, polymeric network capable of imbibing large amount of water and biological fluids. This review article introduces various applications of natural and synthetic polymer-based hydrogels from pharmaceutical, biomedical and bioengineering points of view.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jang Kyoung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jee-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Jong-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok-Beom
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Yong-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers