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Abstract: Recent developments in the field
of polymer science and technology has led to the
development of various stimuli sensitive hydrogels like
pH, temperature sensitive, which are used for the
targeted delivery of drug/proteins to colon, and
chemotherapeutic agents to tumors. Some environmental
variables, such as low pH and elevated temperatures, are
found in the body. For this reason, either pH-sensitive
and/or temperature sensitive hydrogels can be used for
site-specific controlled drug delivery. Hydrogels that
are responsive to specific molecules, such as glucose or
antigens, can be used as biosensors as well as drug
delivery systems. New synthetic methods have been used
to prepare homo- and co-polymeric hydrogels for a wide
range of drugs, peptides, and protein delivery
applications. Random copolymers with balanced
hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, can offer desirable
release rates and dissolution profiles, for the
development of controlled drug delivery.
Introduction: For the past few decades,
biodegradable polymers have been applied as carriers for
controlled delivery of low molecular weight drugs as
well as bioactive proteins.1,5 Biodegradable polymers,
either synthetic or natural, are capable of being
cleaved into biocompatible byproducts through chemical
or enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. This biodegradable
property makes it possible to implant them into the body
without the need of subsequent removal by the surgical
operation. Drugs formulated with these polymers can be
released in a controlled manner, by which the drug
concentration in the target site is maintained within
the therapeutic window. The release rates of the drugs
from biodegradable polymers can be controlled by a
number of factors, such as biodegradation kinetics of
the polymers,6,8 physicochemical properties of the
polymers and drug9,10,thermodynamic compatibility
between the polymers and drugs,11 and the shape of the
devices.12-14
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