ORGANOGELS: ADVANCED AND NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

Organogel, is a non crystalline, non-glassy thermoreversible (thermoplastic) solid material and viscoelastic system, can be regarded as a semi-solid preparation which has an immobilized external apolar phase. 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. Often, these systems are based on self-assembly of the structurant molecules. In general, organogels are thermodynamically stable in nature and have been explored as matrices for the delivery of bioactive agents. Organogels have potential for use in a number of applications, such as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, art conservation, and food. An example of formation of an undesired thermoreversible network is the occurrence of wax crystallization in petroleum. 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.