ABSTRACT
96This chapter provides an overview of the drug delivery systems, DDS, based on natural and/or synthetic polymers as carriers for the active substances, proteins or cells. The polymers used in the DDS must possess properties that make them suitable for interaction with the human organism. The modified rate or the place of the active substances release can be achieved by addition of excipients and/or by special technological procedures. The matrix systems represent the dispersion of active ingredients in an inert matrix and they can be manufactured in the form of tablets, nanoparticles and microparticles. The DDS based on biodegradable natural polymers (proteins and polysaccharides) and synthetic polymers [poly(lactic acid), poly(D,L-lactide-coglycolide) and poly(ε-caprolactone)] have been studied. The DDS based on synthetic non-biodegradable polymers [poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(acrylic acid), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), poly(acrylamide) and poloxamer] were also considered.
