Review on nanogels and their applications on dermal therapy

Abstract

A nanogel is a cross-linked nano-sized, a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers with an ability to swell by holding large amount of water while maintaining the structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains. Nanogels can be made up of synthetic and/or natural polymers resulting in a cationic, anionic, or neutral system depending on the bound groups’ charges. Currently, these materials are receiving tremendous attention in research due to their properties. They are extensively investigated as carriers in the biomedical field. At present, there is an expansion of research into dermatologic treatment due to a critical need for new treatment options to treat skin diseases. The skin itself provides a natural barrier against particle penetration for topical delivery. However, it also offers a potential approach for the delivery of therapeutics, especially in diseased skin via the openings of hair follicles. Recent innovation might be achieved in the field of dermatological treatment with improvement in the dermal localization of bio-actives into the affected skin region. This report looks at what has been done in the investigation of nanogels as drug carriers for topical therapy.