INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORK: A NOVEL BIOMATERIAL AND CARRIER SYSTEMS IN DRUG DELIVERY

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) is a polymer comprising two or more networks each in a network form. It is known as one of the very useful novel biomaterial containing two polymers, each in network form. It offers biocompatibility and safety as it imparts stability to the drug in the formulation and improves solubility of hydrophobic drugs. The importance of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers is widely increasing in pharmaceutical applications because of their ability to form cross linked three‐dimensional network hydrogels that tend to swell in water or biological fluids. These systems thus can be used as a potential candidate to deliver bioactive molecules in controlled release system. The blends obtained from natural and synthetic polymers alone are not always able to meet the complex demand of biomaterials. Natural polymers have the advantage of nontoxicity, low cost, biodegradability, biocompatibility and safety. But their mechanical properties are very poor. In contrast Synthetic polymers have broad range of mechanical properties. IPN can produce synergistic effect by sharing the properties of both natural as well as synthetic polymers. Key Words: Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), cross-linked polymers, natural polymer, synthetic polymers, controlled release syste