Hydrophilic polymers for modified-release nanoparticles: a review of mathematical modelling for pharmacokinetic analysis

Hydrophilic polymers are the most common group of polymers used in the preparation of modifiedrelease drug delivery systems. This is due to their versatility, low cost, high production yield, as well as easy manufacturing and adequate in vitro/in vivo correlation. In normal physiological conditions, the matrix controls the release of the loaded drug over time through a process of diffusion and/or erosion of the matrix, depending on its physicochemical composition. This is particularly relevant when describing the pharmacokinetic profile of nanosized drug delivery systems (nanoparticles). The use of mathematical models became an important tool to characterize the pharmacokinetics of drugs loaded in nanoparticles to improve the drug bioavailability and to establish bioequivalence. Therefore, the drug release profile can be predicted by a minimum number of experimental studies, since the mathematical equations reveal the dissolution rate of the drug loaded in the hydrophilic matrix. The present paper discusses the use of mathematical models when developing modified-release drug delivery systems of nanometer size composed of hydrophilic polymers.