A nanogel is a polymer-based, crosslinked hydrogel particle on the sub-micron scale.[1][2][3] These complex networks of polymers present a unique opportunity in the field of drug delivery at the intersection of nanoparticles and hydrogel synthesis.[1][2][3] Nanogels can be natural, synthetic, or a combination of the two and have a high degree of tunability in terms of their size, shape, surface functionalization, and degradation mechanisms.[1][2][3] Given these inherent characteristics in addition to their biocompatibility and capacity to encapsulate small drugs and molecules, nanogels are a promising strategy to treat disease and dysfunction by serving as delivery vehicles capable of navigating across challenging physiological barriers within the body.[1][2][3]
Nanogels are not to be confused with Nanogel aerogel, a lightweight thermal insulator, or with nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels), which are nanomaterial-filled, hydrated, polymeric networks that exhibit higher elasticity and strength relative to traditionally made hydrogels.
- ^ a b c d Cuggino, Julio César; Blanco, Ernesto Rafael Osorio; Gugliotta, Luis Marcelino; Alvarez Igarzabal, Cecilia Inés; Calderón, Marcelo (August 2019). "Crossing biological barriers with nanogels to improve drug delivery performance". Journal of Controlled Release. 307: 221–246. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.06.005. PMID 31175895. S2CID 182947913.
- ^ a b c d Suhail, Muhammad; Rosenholm, Jessica M; Minhas, Muhammad Usman; Badshah, Syed Faisal; Naeem, Abid; Khan, Kifayat Ullah; Fahad, Muhammad (2019-11-01). "Nanogels as drug-delivery systems: a comprehensive overview". Therapeutic Delivery. 10 (11): 697–717. doi:10.4155/tde-2019-0010. ISSN 2041-5990. PMID 31789106. S2CID 208536874.
- ^ a b c d Li, Yulin; Maciel, Dina; Rodrigues, João; Shi, Xiangyang; Tomás, Helena (2015-08-26). "Biodegradable Polymer Nanogels for Drug/Nucleic Acid Delivery". Chemical Reviews. 115 (16): 8564–8608. doi:10.1021/cr500131f. ISSN 0009-2665. PMID 26259712. S2CID 1651110.