Hydrogels: an Interesting Strategy for Smart Drug Delivery

Hydrogels are novel delivery systems that have drawn much attention in the current pharmaceutical scenario. Of all the advantages, the most important is their versatility, which makes them optimal for any kind of molecule, adequate to be administered by any administration route and capable to modulate the desired release profile. Current research is managed to solve the limitations of this systems; mainly the low mechanical strength and lack of control of release in time and quantity, and the reversibility of the delivery. Several approaches such as the use of multi-stimuli-sensitive mechanisms, the enhancement of mechanical properties using chemical crosslinkers, development of polyelectrolyte complexes, the increment of interpenetrating networks or composite hydrogels are providing excellent results. These systems represent a promising alternative due to the countless possibilities to offer for modulating drug release.