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To explore the potential role of polymers in the development of drug-delivery systems, this study investigated the use of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), acrylic acid (AA) and N’ N’-methylenebis-acrylamide (MBA) in the synthesis of hydrogels for controlled drug delivery of acyclovir (ACV). Different proportions of β-CD, CMC, AA and MBA were blended with each other to fabricate hydrogels via free radical polymerization technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed successful grafting of components into the polymeric network. Thermal and morphological characterization confirmed the formation of thermodynamically stable hydrogels having porous structure. The pH-responsive behaviour of hydrogels has been documented by swelling dynamics and drug release behaviour in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Drug release kinetics revealed controlled release behaviour of the antiviral drug acyclovir in developed polymeric network. Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin and carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels can be used as promising candidates for the design and development of controlled drug-delivery systems.

Nanogels have attracted considerable attention as nanoscopic drug carriers, particularly for site-specific or time-controlled delivery of bioactive mediators. A high diversity of polymer systems and the simple modification of their physicochemical features have provided multipurpose forms of nanogel preparations. Nanogels have outstandingly high stability, drug loading ability, biologic consistence, good permeation capability and can be responsive to environmental stimuli. Great potential has been shown by nanogels in many fields including delivery of genes, chemotherapy drugs, diagnosis, targeting of specific organs and several others. This review focuses mainly on different types of nanogels, methods of preparation including methods of drug loading, different modes of biodegradation mechanisms as well as main mechanisms of drug release from nanogels. Recent applications of nanogels are also briefly discussed and exemplified.