Sustained Drug Release from Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels and Hydrogel Coatings
Biopolymer based hydrogels are three-dimensional physically or chemically crosslinked polymeric networks based on natural polymers, with an intrinsic hydrophilic character due to their functional groups. They display high water content, softness, flexibility, permeability, and biocompatibility and p...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Book Chapter |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IntechOpen
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/81025 |
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| Summary: | Biopolymer based hydrogels are three-dimensional physically or chemically crosslinked polymeric networks based on natural polymers, with an intrinsic hydrophilic character due to their functional groups. They display high water content, softness, flexibility, permeability, and biocompatibility and possess a very high affinity for biological fluids. These properties resemble those of many soft living tissues, which opens up many opportunities in the biomedical field. In this regard, hydrogels provide fine systems for drug delivery and sustained release of drugs. Moreover, biopolymer based hydrogels can be applied as coatings on medical implants in order to enhance the biocompatibility of the implants and to prevent medical conditions. In this chapter we review the latest achievements concerning the use of biopolymeric physical and chemically crosslinked hydrogels as well as hydrogel coatings as sustained drug release platforms. |
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| ISBN: | 978-1-80355-582-9 |
| DOI: | 10.5772/intechopen.103946 |