Top 5 Biodegradable Polymers for Drug Delivery
- Barret
- Date: Jul 9,2020
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving. The search for sustainable and eco-friendly drug delivery systems has led to the development of biodegradable polymers. But what exactly are biodegradable polymers, and how are they beneficial for drug delivery?
Biodegradable polymers are materials that can break down into natural components when exposed to environmental factors. They have gained significant attention due to their potential use in drug delivery applications, as they offer a range of advantages over traditional materials.
In this article, we will discuss the top 5 biodegradable polymers that are being used for drug delivery and their benefits. Let’s dive into the world of biodegradable polymers for drug delivery.
Table of Contents
What Is Drug Delivery Technology?
Drugs are used to improve people’s health and extend their lives. Drug delivery is the method of getting the drug into a person’s body to help him or her fight an illness. Biomedical engineers have helped scientists understand the physiological barriers in the way of drug delivery, such as how drugs move through cells and tissues, the circulatory system, and more.
The key is to find the best possible way to deliver the drug with the fewest side effects. It is ideal to avoid having the drug interact with healthy tissues and to target those that are unhealthy. Drug delivery technology includes agents designed to control the release of a drug or to target specific organs, cells, tissues, and more.
Drug Delivery Methods
How well a drug can do its job is impacted by how it is delivered. Drugs can be introduced to the body in a number of different ways through different drug delivery methods. These methods include the following:
- Buccal drug delivery: through the lining of the cheek
- Nasal drug delivery: through the nasal cavity
- Ocular drug delivery: through the eye
- Oral drug delivery: through the mouth
- Pulmonary drug delivery: inhaled through the mouth into the airways
- Sublingual drug delivery: absorbed under the tongue into the bloodstream
- Transdermal drug delivery: application to intact skin
- Vaginal/anal drug delivery: through the vagina or anus
- Targeted drug delivery: concentrated delivery of drug to its target
Biodegradable polymers help with targeted drug delivery as well as controlled drug release.
Drug Delivery Impact Factors
There are barriers that need to be researched so that drugs can be more effective in their delivery to specific targets. For example, scientists are studying the blood-brain barrier in brain diseases and disorders. They want to deliver drugs to the brain and prevent harmful substances from entering the brain.
They are also looking at intracellular delivery so that cells that protect the body from a drug will no longer inhibit its ability to reach a target. Scientists are constantly researching new methods to improve delivery of drugs.
What Are the Benefits of Using These Materials
There are many benefits to using biodegradable polymers. They are eco-friendly and have reduced carbon emissions. They also require less fossil fuel consumption for their production, which helps to reduce pollution. They are also made with recyclable material.
Biodegradable materials can be used in drug delivery and the benefit is that they break down over time. They can offer temporary support. In addition, there is no need for future surgical removal. They can be made into different shapes with different rates of degradation.
Biodegradable polymers can assist in drug delivery systems in ways that were not possible before. These systems are able to overcome the limitations offered by traditional drug delivery methods to target specific parts of the body. The solution is more effective and allows local delivery and less frequent doses.
Favorable Materials Used in Drug Delivery
Different biodegradable polymers have proven to be effective as part of a drug delivery system. When they have a hydrophobic nature, they are effectively able to carry and deliver drugs to targeted areas or through controlled release. Take a look at these materials that are favored for use in drug delivery:
PLLA
PLLA is poly l-lactide acid and it is a biodegradable polymer that can be used in drug delivery. It is biocompatible and biodegradable by hydrolysis and enzymatic activity. It is also FDA-approved and known to be a viable solution for drug delivery. It can carry nanoparticles such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and micelles. It can also encapsulate toxic anti-tumor drugs and stay away from systemic toxicities.
PDLLA
PDLLA is poly d- l- lactide acid, and it is a biodegradable polymer that is obtained from the DL lactide. It has a different structure and it is amorphous because it has randomly repeating L-lactide and D-lactide units. It works well as a coating and it degrades faster than other polymer blends. It has a slower release of drugs from the nanoparticles, which helps to avoid overdosing.
PLGA
- Chemotherapy
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antioxidant drugs
- Proteins
- And more
PCL
PCL is known as polycaprolactone, and it is a biodegradable polyester with a low melting point. It is developed as a controlled drug delivery vehicle for vancomycin, and it helps to avoid a second surgery. When this drug is loaded into PCL, it is able to keep its composition as a pure drug. It is also used for drug release and theranostic NP delivery.
PTMC
Summary
In this post, we have explored effective polymers for delivering drugs. These biodegradable polymers target specific areas in the body and reduce side effects. We discuss the properties, benefits, and applications of the top five polymers, emphasizing their compatibility and controlled release.
Whether you’re a researcher or curious about drug delivery, this article offers valuable insights into biodegradable polymers for effective drug delivery.
