Role of porous silicon/hydrogel composites on drug delivery

Abstract

Nanomaterials are applied with great success in biomedical applications as templates for the development of new generation devices, which can be used to solve current health problems. These new nanoscale systems are designed with multifunctions to perform specific and selective tasks. One of the most important applications of this new nanotechnology; focuses on developing new systems for the controlled release of drugs, mainly due to their capability to improve the temporal and spatial presentation of drugs in the body and their ability to protect them from physiological degradation or elimination. Hydrogels, porous silicon (PSi), and PSi-composites have been widely adopted in this field due to their biological, morphological, and physicochemical properties; which can be tuned to obtain sensitive responses to physiological stimuli. Despite the fact that some recent academic papers have shown the benefits of these nanomaterials in a wide range of biological applications, more in vivo studies are needed to take these hybrid systems towards clinical trials. In this mini-review some of the hydrogels, PSi, and PSi-composites latest applications and prospects in this field of science are presented.

Cellulose-Based Hydrogels as Sustained Drug-Delivery Systems

“…In Figure 4 are presented the schematic view of the drug release mechanism from hydrogels [51]. Passive diffusion is the most common release mechanism.…”

“… Hydrogels drug-release mechanisms and their respective kinetic profiles: ( a ) the case when the governing mechanism is given by the drug diffusion; ( b ) when it is imposed by the degradation of the polymeric matrix; ( c ) when the hydrogel swelling governs the process [ 51 ]. …”

Hydrogels as Potential Nano-, Micro- and Macro-Scale Systems for Controlled Drug Delivery

“…HG structure, diameter, and cross-linking agent density affect the rate of drug diffusion. The kinetics of drug release from HGs is connected to the chemical structure and crosslinking density of the materials, including the HG matrix monomers and coating (Figure 8) [203].…”

Crosslinking Dynamics and Gelation Characteristics of Photo- and Thermally Polymerized Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Hydrogels

“…Second, a crosslinked hydrogel can be swollen in a solution of the drug until an equilibrium state is achieved [10]. The release of the loaded drug from the hydrogel matrix depends on its diffusion due to concentration gradients, matrix degradation, and swelling [11]. In addition, the material properties of the hydrogel, its surface-area-to-volume ratio, and the physical and chemical interactions between the drug and hydrogel significantly influence the drug-release mechanism.…”