Abstract:
Hydrogel delivery systems are popular dosage forms that have a number of
advantages, such as ease of use, painlessness, increased efficiency due to prolongation of
rheological, swelling and sorption characteristics, regulation of drug release, and stimulus
sensitivity. Particular interest is shown in hydrogels of cellulose ether derivatives due
to the possibility of obtaining their modified forms to vary the solubility, the degree of
prolonged action, and the release of the active substance, as well as their widespread availability, affordability, and the possibility of sourcing raw materials from different sources.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, “hypromellose”) is one of the most popular cellulose ethers in the production of medicines as a filler, coating and carrier. Research on
hydrogel carriers based on polymer complexes and modified forms of HPMC using acrylic,
citric, and lactic acids, PVP, chitosan, Na-CMC, and gelatin is of particular interest, as they
provide the necessary rheological and swelling characteristics. There is growing interest in
medical transdermal hydrogels, films, capsules, membranes, nanocrystals, and nanofibers
based on HPMC with the incorporation of biologically active substances (BASs), especially
those of plant origin, as antibacterial, wound-healing, antimicrobial, mucoadhesive, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant agents. The aim of this article is to review modern research
and achievements in the field of hydrogel systems based on cellulose ethers, particularly
HPMC, analyzing their properties, methods of production, and prospects for application in
medicine and pharmacy.
