Layered double hydroxides as drug carriers and for controlled release of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): A review

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs constitute one of the groups most widely currently used, but show several problems for administration due to low solubility and delivery control. For this reason, several matrices have been tested to support them in order to overcome these drawbacks. Among them, layered double hydroxides have been used in recent years. The aim of this review is to update the current knowledge and findings on this hybrid system, namely, layered double hydroxides intercalated with different NSAIDs. The basic nature of the matrix introduces an additional advantage, i.e., to decrease ulceration damages. We have focused our review mostly on the preparation procedures, as these control, define and determine the performance of the systems in vitro and also in living organisms. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.