title: Current knowledge on biodegradable microspheres in drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biodegradable microspheres have gained popularity for delivering a wide variety of molecules via various routes. These types of products have been prepared using various natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers through suitable techniques for desired delivery of various challenging molecules. Selection of biodegradable polymers and technique play a key role in desired drug delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review describes an overview of the fundamental knowledge and status of biodegradable microspheres in effective delivery of various molecules via desired routes with consideration of outlines of various compendial and non-compendial biodegradable polymers, formulation techniques and release mechanism of microspheres, patents and commercial biodegradable microspheres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are various advantages of using biodegradable polymers including promise of development with different types of molecules. Biocompatibility, low dosage and reduced side effects are some reasons why usage biodegradable microspheres have gained in popularity. Selection of biodegradable polymers and formulation techniques to create microspheres is the biggest challenge in research. In the near future, biodegradable microspheres will become the eco-friendly product for drug delivery of various genes, hormones, proteins and peptides at specific site of body for desired periods of time.
authors: SSR College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics , Sayli-Silvassa Road, Silvassa, Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 396230 , India +91 0982 4284159 ; +91 0260 2681104 ; vippra2000@yahoo.com.
authors: Vipul D
authors: VD
authors: Prajapati
authors: Girish K
authors: GK
authors: Jani
authors: Jinita R
authors: JR
authors: Kapadia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008863:Microspheres; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins
keywords: biodegradable microspheres; biodegradable polymers; drug delivery; drug release mechanism