ORGANOGELS IN DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

Organogels are semi-solid systems, in which an organic liquid phase is immobilized by a three-dimensional network composed of self assembled, intertwined gelator fibers. The apolar phase gets immobilized within spaces of the three-dimensional networked structure formed due to the physical interactions amongst the self assembled structures of compounds regarded as gelators. In general, organogels are thermodynamically stable in nature and have been explored as matrices for the delivery of bioactive agents. In the last decade, interest in physical organogels has grown rapidly with the discovery and synthesis of a very large number of diverse molecules, which can gel organic solvents at low concentrations. In the current manuscript, attempts have been made to understand the properties of organogels, various types of organogelators and some applications of the organogels in controlled delivery.

KEYWORDS: Organogels, Organogelators, Gelation, Properties, Appliations