Advances in Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cutaneous Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 34
Special Issue Editors
Interests: drug delivery; smart materials; pharmaceutical applications
Interests: thermodynamics; rheology; hydrogels; smart materials; self-assembling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Transdermal drug delivery systems containing various active ingredients have recently garnered significant interest. Their administration represents a therapeutic alternative for multiple pathologies, limiting adverse effects and providing the advantage of avoiding the hepatic or gastrointestinal route. Additionally, polymer-based formulations offer the benefit of controlled and sustained release of the active ingredient. Systems based on polymers that are administered cutaneously can include gels like lipogels, emulsion-based gels (emulgels, nanoemulsions), β-cyclodextrin gel formulations, gels based on liposomes, hydrogels, polymer-based creams and ointments, polymeric nanoparticles, polymer films, polymer patches, polymer nanofibers, and polymeric microneedles. These formulations are beneficial for various conditions, as they can provide both local and, in some cases, systemic action. The transdermal systems ensure optimal bioavailability of the active ingredient, promote easy penetration through the stratum corneum, and maintain ideal concentrations of the active substances. The use of absorption promoters significantly enhances the bioavailability of the active substance. The formulations based on polymers can include active substances with diverse therapeutic characteristics, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, keratolytic, antineoplastic, analgesic, and wound-healing properties, which are successfully used in various application pathologies.
Dr. Ioana Alexandra Plugariu
Guest Editor Assistant
Dr. Maria Bercea
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- smart polymers
- polysaccharides
- hydrogels
- transdermal formulations
- bioavailability
- absorption promoters
- gels
- β-cyclodextrin
- liposomes
- therapeutic characteristics
- pharmaceutics
- drug delivery systems
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