What is a benefit of using polymers for drug delivery?

What is a benefit of using polymers for drug delivery?

Polymers have played an integral role in the advancement of drug delivery technology by providing controlled release of therapeutic agents in constant doses over long periods, cyclic dosage, and tunable release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.

How does polymer drug delivery work?

Polymeric drug delivery system has defined as a formulation or a device that enables the introduction of a therapeutic substance into the body. It improves its safety and efficacy by controlling the rate, time, and place of release of drugs in the body.

What is ringsdorf model?

The Ringsdorf model (Figure 1) primarily consists of a biocompatible polymer backbone bound to three components: 1) a solubilizer, which serves the purpose of imparting hydrophilicity and ensuring water solubility, 2) a drug, usually bound to the polymeric backbone via a linker, and 3) a targeting moiety whose function …

What is polymeric prodrug?

Polymeric prodrugs can be defined as latent pharmaceutical agents which must undergo chemical or enzymatic transformation to the active or parent drug in the organism after administration.

What are the disadvantages of smart polymers?

In spite of these advantages several drawbacks associated with these systems include high-burst drug release, low mechanical strength of the gel leading to potential dose-dumping, lack of biocompatibility of the polymeric system and gradual lowering of pH of the system due to acidic degradation14, 15.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of polymers?

They have relatively low melting and degradation temperatures, so this can be a limit for use at high temperatures. Some polymers can degrade on sunlight and some radiations. Strength and hardness are low compared with ceramics and metals. Modulus of elasticity or stiffness is generally low in polymers.

What is Bioprecursor prodrug?

Bioprecursor by definition is a type of prodrug that is designed to tackle pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic shortcomings of a drug that limit its clinical use.

What are polymeric micelles made of?

Polymeric micelles are made up of a shell of hydrophilic polymer blocks, such as poly-ethylene glycol, and a hydrophobic polymer core, such as poly (propylene glycol). The amphiphilic block copolymers have the potential to produce nanoscale micelles via self-assembly in a specified solvent.

What is smart polymers made from?

SIS polymers can be synthetic [poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and methylmethacrylates polymers] (Figure 1) or natural (alginate, chitosan, and κ-carrageenan 2, 3), or a combination of both [collagen-acrylate and poly(polyethylene glycol-co-peptides)] [1].

What are examples of smart polymers?

Examples of smart polymers are those that undergo rapid, reversible phase changes in response to small changes in environmental conditions. Ista and Lopez employed poly(N-isopropylacryl-amide) (PNIPAAM), a polymer that is soluble in water below, but insoluble above, 32°C.

What is polymer used for?

Uses of polymers Polymers are used in almost every area of modern living. Grocery bags, soda and water bottles, textile fibers, phones, computers, food packaging, auto parts, and toys all contain polymers. Even more-sophisticated technology uses polymers.

What are the negative effects of polymers?

The non-biodegradable nature of synthetic polymers makes them a permanent waste. The used polymeric products like plastic bags and bottles cannot be dumped in sanitary landfills. These synthetic waste items are then combust in the incinerators which results in release of harmful gases and cause air pollution.

What is the problem with polymers?

Most polymers, including poly(ethene) and poly(propene) are not biodegradable . This means that microorganisms cannot break them down, so they: cause a litter problem if disposed of carelessly. last for many years in landfill sites.