Polymers (Aug 2022)

Hyaluronic Acid: A Review of the Drug Delivery Capabilities of This Naturally Occurring Polysaccharide

  • Ciara Buckley,
  • Emma J. Murphy,
  • Therese R. Montgomery,
  • Ian Major

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173442
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 17
p. 3442

Abstract

Read online

The inclusion of physiologically active molecules into a naturally occurring polymer matrix can improve the degradation, absorption, and release profile of the drug, thus boosting the therapeutic impact and potentially even reducing the frequency of administration. The human body produces significant amounts of polysaccharide hyaluronic acid, which boasts exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and one-of-a-kind physicochemical features. In this review, we will examine the clinical trials currently utilizing hyaluronic acid and address the bright future of this versatile polymer, as well as summarize the numerous applications of hyaluronic acid in drug delivery and immunomodulation.

Keywords