A Review on Biodegradable Polymers in Drug Delivery Systems and Biomedical Applications

Because they can improve biomedical uses and lessen environmental pollution, biodegradable polymers have become attractive substitutes for traditional plastics. Under the right environmental circumstances, these polymers are made to break down into non-toxic byproducts like carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, reducing their long-term ecological effect. The research and large-scale manufacture of biodegradable polymers, including poly(lactic acid) (PLA), starch blends, polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have advanced significantly in recent years.

Biodegradable polymers are essential as carriers in targeted and controlled drug delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry, allowing for precise drug release, lower dosages, and less adverse effects. Additionally, they are extensively employed in anticancer treatments, vaccine administration, and tissue engineering. Despite these benefits, there are still a number of issues, such as the lack of real-world degradation data, the need for harsh testing settings, and the effects of additives on safety and biodegradability.

The kinds, characteristics, and uses of biodegradable polymers are highlighted in this overview, with an emphasis on their importance for the environment and biomedicine. In order to guarantee their efficacy as sustainable substitutes in contemporary research and industry, it also highlights the necessity of thorough life cycle evaluations and realistic degradation studies.