Polymers for Smart Drug Delivery

초록

There is a great deal of room for growth in the use of smart polymers. More specifically, “intelligent” delivery systems that may release entrapped drugs at the proper time and place of action in response to certain biological conditions have been investigated, and smart polymeric drug delivery systems have been studied extensively in this regard. These polymers change their structure and characteristics dramatically in response to a very minor stimulation (including pH, temperature, light, electric and magnetic fields, and enzymes). Reactions might range from swellings/contractions to degradation. The smart polymers’ adaptability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controllability make them appealing. Improved and targeted drug delivery, actuator stimuli, protein folding, and gene therapy are all areas where smart polymers show great promise as a method of implementation. More precise and controllable drug distribution may be possible with the help of newly developed “smart polymer” technologies. This study primarily focuses on the current and emerging uses of smart polymers. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Ajit Behera, Arpan Kumar Nayak, Ranjan K. Mohapatra, and Ali Ahmed Rabaan individual chapters, the contributors.