Poloxamers for Surface Modification of Hydrophobic Drug Carriers and Their Effects on Drug Delivery

Tri-block copolymer poloxamers are successfully employed for reducing adsorption of proteinous molecules onto hydrophobic surfaces which will protect them from quick engulfing by macrophages. For sustained systemic circulation of hydrophobic drug carriers, particle surfaces need suitable modification for avoiding phagocytosis and this can be successfully done by poloxamers. They can affect the drug release profile, which makes them a very promising agent for targeted delivery. This review discusses the structure, characteristics, and advantages of poloxamers. Poloxamer adsorption onto hydrophobic surfaces and adlayer thickness, relative phagocytic uptake, and drug release profiles of coated drug loaded particles have been described in detail.