SUPERPOROUS HYDROGEL: A REVIEW

Abstract

Superporous hydrogels (SPHs) were originally developed as a novel drug delivery system to retain drugs in the gastric medium. These systems should instantly swell in the stomach and maintain their integrity in the harsh stomach environment, while releasing the pharmaceutical active ingredient Moreover, an instant swelling of hydrogel has too revealed potential application for peroral intestinal peptide and protein absorption. The fast swelling property is based on water absorption through open porous structure by capillary force. The poor mechanical strength of SPHs was overcome by developing generations. This review discusses the preparation, characterization and application of SPHs.