The use of natural gums to produce nano-based hydrogels and films for topical application

Natural gums are a source of biopolymeric materials with a wide range of applications for multiple purposes. These polysaccharides are extensively explored due to their low toxicity, gelling and thickening properties, and bioadhesive potential, which have sparked interest in researchers given their use in producing pharmaceutic dosage forms compared to synthetic agents. Hence, gums can be used as gelling and film-forming agents, which are suitable platforms for topical drug administration. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated the pos-sibility of obtaining nanocomposite materials formed by a polymeric matrix of gums associated with nanoscale carriers that have shown superior drug delivery performance and compatibility with multiple administration routes compared to starting components. In this sense, research on topical natural gum-based form preparation containing drug-loaded nanocarriers was detailed and discussed herein. A special focus was devoted to the ad-vantages achieved regarding physicochemical and mechanical features, drug delivery capacity, permeability through topical barriers, and biocompatibility of the hydrogels and polymeric films.

Automated summary

Natural gums, as a source of biopolymeric materials, have a wide range of applications due to their low toxicity, gelling and thickening properties. Recent studies have shown that nanocomposite materials formed by combining gums with nanoscale carriers have superior drug delivery performance and compatibility.