Electrically responsive smart hydrogels in drug delivery: a review

Recently, much of the research activity has been focused on the development of stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Such hydrogels can show a response to the external or internal stimuli in the form of rapid changes in the physical nature of the polymeric network. This hydrogel property can be utilized for drug delivery applications. A literature search suggests that current research related to stimuli responsive drug delivery systems deals with temperature sensitive, pH sensitive, glucose sensitive and bio-molecule sensitive hydrogels. Electrically responsive hydrogels have also been recently developed in the form of gel matrices, implants and membranes for drug delivery. Control over the release of drugs such as quantity and timing, is essential to optimize drug therapy. Reports say that the electrically controlled in vitro and in vivo drug release studies have been carried out on polyelectrolyte hydrogels. A pulsatile pattern of drug release was achieved with the alternative application and removal of the electrical stimulus. This article gives an overview of the latest developments in the formulation of drug delivery systems using electrically responsive hydrogels.