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Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications
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Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 13053

Editor

Dr. Nunzia Gallo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: biomaterials; regenerative medicine; collagen
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The traditional forms of drug administration are often associated with low efficacy and side effects. Due to this, controlled drug delivery systems (DDSs) began to be designed and customized according to the specific therapeutic compound. DDSs include micro- and nano-sized delivery systems, as well as 2D or 3D hydrogels. Developed DDSs have been revealed to be able to preserve bioactive agents’ safety, increase their efficacy, control their release kinetics, and keep the concentration of the drug within the desired therapeutic range. Moreover, tissue-specific drug delivery, dosing frequency reduction, and drug bioavailability increase were other advantages that allowed us to reduce follow-up care and increase patients’ comfort and compliance. Several polymers have been developed and employed for the development of DDSs. However, at present, challenges still remain and research is moving toward the development of new advanced materials for use in the development of even more effective and tunable DDSs. The present Special Issue welcomes contributions in the form of original research articles, preclinical investigations, or review articles on the broad topic of Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for DDSs, with a focus on any aspect regarding micro- and nano-sized DDS synthesis methods, including the development of advanced biomaterials, polymeric structure modification and customization, effective production processes, and innovative strategy modifications.

Dr. Nunzia Gallo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • drug delivery system
  • polymers
  • microparticles
  • nanoparticles
  • biomaterials

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

31 pages, 10300 KB  
Article
Gelatin-Based Microspheres for Sustained Ketoprofen Delivery in Difficult-to-Heal Wounds
by Chiara Kodra, Alessia Nito, Emma Quarta, Morena Miciaccia, Maria Grazia Perrone, Antonio Scilimati, Alessandro Sannino, Luca Salvatore and Nunzia Gallo
Polymers 2026, 18(15), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18151807 - 23 Jul 2026
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent inflammation and impaired tissue repair. Anti-inflammatory agents play a pivotal role in wound management by reducing excessive inflammation, preventing further tissue damage, and creating a microenvironment conducive to healing. Among them, Ketoprofen, a [...] Read more.
Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge due to persistent inflammation and impaired tissue repair. Anti-inflammatory agents play a pivotal role in wound management by reducing excessive inflammation, preventing further tissue damage, and creating a microenvironment conducive to healing. Among them, Ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is effective in modulating inflammation. However, its systemic administration is associated with adverse effects, highlighting the need for localized and controlled delivery systems. Gelatin-based carriers provide important advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, cost-effectiveness, and the ease of chemical modification to tailor drug release profiles. In this pioneering study, gelatin-based microspheres crosslinked with tannic acid were developed to achieve sustained topical release of Ketoprofen. The microparticle system was produced through the single water-in-oil emulsification process and optimized by varying homogenization speed, crosslinking time, and molar ratio. Morphological, physicochemical, functional, and biological characterizations were conducted. The optimized formulation yielded spherical microspheres (5–35 µm) with high crosslinking efficiency and a controlled drug release profile over time. COX inhibition assays provided preliminary evidence that released Ketoprofen-retained inhibitory activity under the assay conditions, while cytocompatibility tests supported the short-term compatibility of the system within the tested concentration range. A qualitative wound-model test provided preliminary evidence of powder hydration, film formation, and macroscopic retention. Overall, tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin microspheres represent a biocompatible and promising platform for localized drug delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory in wound management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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12 pages, 949 KB  
Article
Supercritical CO2-Assisted Impregnation of Absorbable Surgical Sutures with Carvacrol and Benzydamine Hydrochloride: Comparative In Vitro Release Profiles and Drug Release Kinetics
by Aysun Akpınar, Merve Öztürk, Önder Aybastıer, Halil Çelik, Gezu Ketema Janka, Hüseyin Aksel Eren and Semiha Eren
Polymers 2026, 18(14), 1698; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18141698 - 10 Jul 2026
Viewed by 428
Abstract
The development of bioactive surgical sutures capable of delivering therapeutic agents directly at the wound site has gained increasing attention in biomedical research. Functionalized sutures may provide localized antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, potentially reducing postoperative complications and promoting tissue healing. In this study, [...] Read more.
The development of bioactive surgical sutures capable of delivering therapeutic agents directly at the wound site has gained increasing attention in biomedical research. Functionalized sutures may provide localized antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity, potentially reducing postoperative complications and promoting tissue healing. In this study, absorbable surgical sutures were impregnated with carvacrol, a natural phenolic compound with well-known antimicrobial properties, using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) technology. The impregnation process was carried out at 35 °C and 10 MPa for 120 min, allowing for the incorporation of carvacrol into the polymeric matrix of the sutures. The in vitro release behavior of the impregnated sutures was evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37 °C over an 8-day period. The concentration of released compounds was determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry using previously established calibration curves. An analysis of the experimental release data demonstrated that both carvacrol and benzydamine hydrochloride (HCl) (Tantum Verde®) exhibited a sustained release profile throughout the incubation period. Carvacrol release increased progressively from 2.02 ± 0.15 ppm on day 1 to 7.45 ± 0.15 ppm on day 7, followed by a slight stabilization on day 8 (7.25 ± 0.31 ppm). Similarly, benzydamine HCl (Tantum Verde®) release increased from 1.83 ± 0.11 ppm on day 1 to 3.29 ± 0.13 ppm on day 8. Release kinetics were analyzed using the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, indicating that the release mechanism was predominantly diffusion-controlled during the initial stage of the experiment. The results demonstrate that supercritical CO2 impregnation is an effective solvent-free technique for incorporating bioactive compounds into absorbable sutures, enabling controlled release under physiological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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43 pages, 1761 KB  
Article
Biomimetic Material Selection for Therapeutic Microneedles: An Analytic Hierarchy Process-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation
by Hussain F. Abualkhair, Fahad Sulaiman Obaid, Mohammed Alquraish and Faisal Khaled Aldawood
Polymers 2026, 18(12), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18121456 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Microneedles are a new technology in transdermal drug delivery that allows for the pain-free administration of drugs. Recently, these microneedles have gained popularity compared to traditional injections. Nevertheless, the selection of the most suitable materials is a significant issue, requiring a systematic analysis [...] Read more.
Microneedles are a new technology in transdermal drug delivery that allows for the pain-free administration of drugs. Recently, these microneedles have gained popularity compared to traditional injections. Nevertheless, the selection of the most suitable materials is a significant issue, requiring a systematic analysis of various performance parameters. This paper developed a multi-criteria decision-making model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to systematically evaluate four primary material types for therapeutic microneedle applications: polymers, metals, ceramics, and silicon. The researchers defined five performance criteria, ranked by importance: biocompatibility (48.8%), mechanical properties (25.3%), manufacturability (15.8%), cost-effectiveness (6.6%), and compatibility with different types of microneedles (3.5%). The validity of the framework was established using the TOPSIS and ELECTRE methods, which showed strong agreement in the rankings, and a sensitivity analysis revealed that the rankings did not change with a ±20% variation in the parameters in 95% of the cases. The outcomes indicated that polymers are the most suitable, with the highest global priority score (38.3%), and they are good in biocompatibility (53.0% local priority), manufacturability (53.3%), and relative cost advantages (62.2%), though medical-grade polymer costs remain substantial. Metals were placed second (31.8%) due to their better mechanical properties (50.3%), followed by ceramics (17.6%) and silicon-based materials (12.3%). The framework offers clear decision guidelines: polymers for dissolving microneedle systems and controlled drug release applications; metals for precise liquid delivery devices; ceramics for specialized pharmaceutical uses that require extreme chemical compatibility; and silicon for research applications requiring precise geometries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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20 pages, 5255 KB  
Article
Development and Characterization of Chitosan Microparticles via Ionic Gelation for Drug Delivery
by Zahra Rajabimashhadi, Annalia Masi, Sonia Bagheri, Claudio Mele, Gianpiero Colangelo, Federica Paladini and Mauro Pollini
Polymers 2025, 17(19), 2603; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17192603 - 26 Sep 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3562
Abstract
This study explores the formulation of chitosan microparticles through ionic gelation and presents detailed physicochemical characterization, release studies, and the utility and potential uses for drug delivery. Three formulations were prepared under rate-controlled conditions (stirring at 800 rpm and pH maintained at 4.6) [...] Read more.
This study explores the formulation of chitosan microparticles through ionic gelation and presents detailed physicochemical characterization, release studies, and the utility and potential uses for drug delivery. Three formulations were prepared under rate-controlled conditions (stirring at 800 rpm and pH maintained at 4.6) with and without stabilizers to examine the effects of formulation parameters on particle morphology and structural stability. To determine different structural and chemical characteristics, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were utilized, which confirmed that the particles formed and assessed size distribution and structural integrity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to quantify surface roughness and potential nanomechanical differences that may derive from the use of different modifiers. Coformulation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) permitted assessment of encapsulation efficiency and drug release capacity. Based on in vitro release evidence, the protein released at a different rate, and the dispersion of formulations under physiological conditions (PBS, pH 7.4, 37 °C) confirmed the differences in stability between formulations. The tunable physical characteristics, mild fabrication conditions, and controlled drug release demonstrated that the chitosan particles could have useful relevance as a substrate for localized drug delivery and as a bioactive scaffold for tissue regenerative purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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32 pages, 5511 KB  
Article
Development of Carbohydrate Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles for Use in Drug Delivery Systems that Cross the Blood–Brain Barrier to Treat Brain Tumors
by Vladimir E. Silant’ev, Mikhail E. Shmelev, Andrei S. Belousov, Fedor O. Trukhin, Nadezhda E. Struppul, Aleksandra A. Patlay, Anna K. Kravchenko, Sergey P. Shchava and Vadim V. Kumeiko
Polymers 2025, 17(12), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17121690 - 18 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1806
Abstract
The low effectiveness of various brain cancer treatment methods is due to a number of significant challenges. Most of them are unable to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) when drugs are administered systemically through the bloodstream. Nanoscale particles play a special role among [...] Read more.
The low effectiveness of various brain cancer treatment methods is due to a number of significant challenges. Most of them are unable to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) when drugs are administered systemically through the bloodstream. Nanoscale particles play a special role among materials capable of binding drug molecules and successfully crossing the BBB. Biopolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and have the remarkable ability to modify the environment surrounding tumor cells, thereby potentially improving cellular uptake of delivery agents. In our research, nanoscale polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) ranging in size from 56 to 209 nm were synthesized by ionic interaction of the oppositely charged polysaccharides pectin and chitosan. The structural characteristics of these complexes were carefully characterized by infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The immobilization efficiency of antitumor drugs was comprehensively evaluated using UV spectrophotometry. The cytotoxicity of the NPs was evaluated in the U87-MG cell line. The preliminary data indicate a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of these tumor cells. Important details on the interaction of the NPs with an endothelial layer structurally similar to the BBB were obtained by simulating the BBB using a model based on human blood vessels. Our studies allowed us to establish a significant correlation between the kinetic parameters of drug immobilization and the ratio of biopolymer concentrations in the initial compositions, which provides valuable information for future optimization of drug delivery system design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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Review

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58 pages, 10581 KB  
Review
Hydrogels—Advanced Polymer Platforms for Drug Delivery
by Rodica Ene (Vatcu), Andreea-Teodora Iacob, Iuliu Fulga, Maria Luisa Di Gioia, Ionut Dragostin, Ana Fulga, Sangram Keshari Samal and Oana-Maria Dragostin
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060709 - 14 Mar 2026
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3373
Abstract
Optimizing drug administration remains a central challenge in the development of modern therapies, especially in the context of conditions that require spatiotemporal control of active substance release. In this context, hydrogels have been intensively investigated as polymeric platforms for drug delivery, through their [...] Read more.
Optimizing drug administration remains a central challenge in the development of modern therapies, especially in the context of conditions that require spatiotemporal control of active substance release. In this context, hydrogels have been intensively investigated as polymeric platforms for drug delivery, through their three-dimensional hydrophilic structure, tunable properties, and compatibility with biological environments. This analysis presents an integrated approach to hydrogels used in drug administration, addressing the physicochemical fundamentals, the constitutive polymeric materials, and the mechanisms of response to relevant physiological stimuli. Recent experimental studies have been discussed, which highlight the use of hydrogels based on natural, synthetic, and hybrid polymers for controlled and targeted release, in correlation with various administration routes, including oral, injectable, transmucosal, and topical ones. Advanced functionalization strategies that allow adaptive responses to pH, temperature, glucose, enzymes, and reactive oxygen species are also analyzed. Furthermore, emerging directions integrating hydrogels with biosensors, microdevices, and wireless communication systems for real-time monitoring and on-demand release are highlighted. Overall, the analysis emphasizes the role of smart hydrogels as multifunctional platforms for complex therapeutic strategies while also underlining the current challenges associated with clinical translation and long-term performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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Graphical abstract

39 pages, 2314 KB  
Review
Polymer Matrices for Reversible Thermogelling Hydrogels: Principles, Fabrication, and Drug Delivery Prospects
by Victor S. Pyzhov, Elena O. Bakhrushina, Vladimir I. Gegechkori, Valery V. Smirnov, Grigoriy Y. Evzikov, Anna K. Kartashova, Irina M. Zubareva, Ivan I. Krasnyuk, Jr. and Ivan I. Krasnyuk
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060681 - 11 Mar 2026
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2016
Abstract
This review presents a comprehensive analysis of modern thermosensitive polymer systems for in situ systems (ISSs) which are used for targeted drug delivery in situ. The main classes of polymers used to create “smart” hydrogels that undergo a “sol–gel” phase transition in response [...] Read more.
This review presents a comprehensive analysis of modern thermosensitive polymer systems for in situ systems (ISSs) which are used for targeted drug delivery in situ. The main classes of polymers used to create “smart” hydrogels that undergo a “sol–gel” phase transition in response to a temperature stimulus in the physiological range are considered. Key representatives of thermosensitive matrices are described in detail: synthetic block copolymers (poloxamers, block copolymers of polylactic-co-polyglycolic acid with polyethyleneglycol, etc.) and natural, modified natural, and semi-synthetic polymers (chitosan, including in combination with β-glycerophosphate, xyloglucan, etc.). This paper systematizes the advantages and disadvantages of various thermosensitive systems and highlights the key risks in their pharmaceutical development, including the influence of the nature and concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients on the rheological properties and phase transition temperature. Particular attention is paid to the difference between thermoreversible and irreversible gel-forming systems. Modern in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo methods for evaluating critical quality parameters of thermosensitive systems, such as gelation temperature and time, gel strength, mucoadhesive properties, and release kinetics, are discussed. The need to develop standardized and biologically relevant methods to improve the reproducibility and success of preclinical studies is emphasized. The review is intended to help researchers to make informed choices about polymer matrices and optimize compositions for successful pharmaceutical development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Applications)
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