Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) based thermosensitive injectable hydrogels for biomedical applications

Protein and peptide delivery by the use of stimuli triggered polymers remains to be the area of interest among the scientist and innovators. In-situ forming gel for the parenteral route in the form of hydrogel and implants are being utilized for various biomedical applications The formulation of gel depends upon factors such as temperature modulation, pH changes, the presence of ions and ultra-violet irradiation, from which drug is released in a sustained and controlled manner. Among various stimuli triggered factors, thermoresponsive is the most potential one for the delivery of protein and peptides. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based copolymers play a crucial role as a biomedical material for biomedical applications, because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, thermosensitivity and easy controlled characters. This review, stresses on the physicochemical property, stability and compositions prospects of smart thermoresponsive polymer specifically, PEG/Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) based thermoresponsive injectable hydrogels, recently utilized for biomedical applications. PEG-PNIPAAm based hydrogel exhibits good gelling mechanical strength and minimizes the initial burst effect of the drug. In addition, upon changing the composition and proportion of the copolymer molecular weight and ratio, the gelling time can be reduced to a great extent providing better sol-gel transition. The hydrogel formed by the same is able to release the drug over a long duration of time, meanwhile is also biocompatible and biodegradable. Manuscript will give the new researchers an idea about the potential and benefits of PNIPAAm based thermoresponsive hydrogels for the biomedical application. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.