Clays as Biomaterials in Controlled Drug Release: A Scientific and Technological Short Review

Abstract

The use of clays as vehicle for drug release has been investigated in the scientific environment. This work aims to review articles and patents that present the use of clays in formulations to carry and release drugs. The Scopus, Scielo and Web of Science data bases were used to search for articles and the European Patent Office, United States Patent and Trademark Office and National Institute of Property databases. According to the exclusion criteria, the only articles used were the ones that had the combination of keywords (clays and drug release). The clays studied were used in their natural, synthetic or modified form. The parameters that influence the release of the drugs also were: effect of PH, effect of clay quantity and kinetic study. In view of the excellent performance against the controlled release of drugs, it is evident that there is growing interest in the scientific-technological field in the use of different clays as inorganic support for adsorption and desorption in pharmaceutical compositions.