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Review
. 2025 Mar 18;30(6):1354.
doi: 10.3390/molecules30061354.

Hydrogel Delivery Systems for Biological Active Substances: Properties and the Role of HPMC as a Carrier

Arailym Amanzholkyzy  1 , Shynar Zhumagaliyeva  1 , Nurgul Sultanova  2 , Zharylkasyn Abilov  1 , Damira Ongalbek  1 , Elvira Donbayeva  2 , Aktoty Niyazbekova  3 , Zhazira Mukazhanova  4
Affiliations
Review

Hydrogel Delivery Systems for Biological Active Substances: Properties and the Role of HPMC as a Carrier

Arailym Amanzholkyzy et al. Molecules. .

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, anti-inflammatory, 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.

Keywords: HPMC; cellulose derivatives; cellulose ethers; dosage forms; drug delivery; films; hydrogels; plant extracts; release.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of hydrogels based on their properties [7].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cellulose ether derivatives methylcellulose (MC) (a), ethyl cellulose (EC) (b), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) (c), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) (d), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (e) [39].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Method for preparing hydrogels based on HPMC [49,50].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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