A REVIEW ON RECENT ADVANCES IN HYDROGELS AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

AYAM GHANEM; SONDOS AHMAD ASHOUR; RUAA M HUSSIEN

doi:10.22159/ijap.2025v17i1.51987

Authors

AYAM GHANEM Department of Applied science, Faculty of Aqaba college, Al-Balqa Applied University, P. O. Box 206, Salt-19117, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4246-7640
SONDOS AHMAD ASHOUR Master of pharmaceutical technology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum-Sudan
RUAA M HUSSIEN Master of Clinical pharmacy, Department of clinical pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman- Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6792-8614

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2025v17i1.51987

Keywords:

Hydrogels, Networks, Hydrophilic, Drug targeting, Drug delivery, Crosslinking

Abstract

Hydrogels are hydrophilic three dimensional polymeric networks, which has the capability to absorb water or biological fluids. These polymeric network is formulated through chemical crosslinking or physical crosslinking mechanisms. Several polymers of synthetic and natural origin can be used to form hydrogels. Mechanical properties, swelling and biological properties are about the most significant hydrogels properties, that can affect their morphology and structure. Hydrogels are promising biomaterials due to their significant properties as hydrophilicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility and non-toxicity. These characteristics make hydrogels appropriate for medical and pharmaceutical application. This review discusses the types of hydrogels, their properties, mechanism of preparation and applications of hydrogels as drug delivery system.

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