Pharmaceutical Polymer Gels in Drug Release

Dear Colleagues, 

Gels are semi-solid dosage forms in which a liquid is trapped in a three-dimensional solid polymeric network, thus retaining specific characteristics of both materials. They are excellent formulations for various routes of administration, for example, dermal, oral, ocular, vaginal and rectal routes, in addition to presenting attractive applications in different medical treatments and/or diagnostic procedures. The diversity of polymeric gels has attracted the attention of many researchers and pharmaceutical industries for the development of drug delivery systems, due to their high biocompatibility and versatility. The possibility of modifying them by different methods allows the development of multiple drug delivery systems with functions such as sustained release, addressing target sites, extension of the action time in the administration site, increased bioavailability, among others. This could improve patients’ adherence to treatment due to the reduction in doses and frequencies required, the decrease in adverse effects by not affecting organs or tissues that are not the therapeutic target, or by releasing the active ingredient only after a certain stimulus (temperature, pH and ionic strength). Taking into account these properties, this Special Issue reviews the different pharmaceutical polymer gels used in the development of drug delivery systems, with an emphasis on the different routes of administration. The synthesis, characterization, in vitro/in vivo assays, and applications of these pharmaceutical systems will be described. The current strategies for the preparation of such formulations, including the use of smart polymers, stimuli-responsive materials, systems containing nano- and/or microparticles or gels formed in situ, will be also analyzed.

Dr. Katia Seremeta
Dr. María Beatriz Nuñez
Dr. Claudio J. Salomón
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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