One of the most interesting and challenging activities faced by the pharmaceutical researchers was to develop novel drug delivery system for the attainment of optimal concentration at the intended site of action for the sufficient time period to elicit the therapeutic response. Advanced research on this concept led to the development of in-situ forming polymeric drug delivery systems. This system includes many advantages for sustained and controlled drug release in comparison with that of conventional drug delivery system and possesses ease of administration, reduced frequency of dosing, improved patient compliance and comfort. The production of these systems includes lower manufacturing costs and is economical. In-situ gels are in solution form upon instillation and it undergoes phase transition into visco-elastic gel form after contacting with biological fluids. The conversion from sol to gel depends upon certain factors like temperature modulation, pH change, presence of ions and ultra violet irradiation. Now a days in-situ gel are used as vehicles for the drug delivery for both systemic effects and local treatment. Various biodegradable polymers are used in the formulation of in-situ gels like pectin, xyloglucan, gellan gum, poly caprolactone, poly (DL lactic acid), carbomers, chitosan, etc. Mainly in-situ gels are administered by oral route, ocular route, nasal route, rectal and vaginal route, through injectable and intra-peritoneal route. The present review mainly includes different approaches of in-situ gel formations its applicability based on the routes of administration and some of the recent advancements of in-situ gels.
Loading....