Current status and role of carbopols in oral, nasal, transdermal, topical and ophthalmic drug delivery systems

Both natural and synthetic biodegradable polymeric materials have revolutionized the pharmaceutical and medical fields due to their flexible properties and their ability to be to be customized to meet individual patient needs. These biodegradable materials have the potential to significantly advance drug formulation and biomedical implants by enhancing drug bioavailability, controlling undesirable pharmacokinetics, and modulating the residence time of drugs in systemic circulation, among other benefits. Carbopols are a class of high molecular weight synthetic polymers made by cross linking of poly (acrylic acid). They are widely employed in pharmaceuticals due to their attractive properties such as gelling ability, mucoadhesiveness, bioadhesiveness, thickening capability and biodegradability. Although these polymers were synthesized and patented in the mid-20th century, no comprehensive review on the role of carbopols in drug delivery systems has been reported to date. This review aims to specifically discuss the significance and impact of carbopol in the development of oral, nasal, transdermal, topical, and ophthalmic drug delivery systems. In addition to addressing the benefits and limitations of this polymer, this review also highlights future prospects and anticipated advancements based on existing research. • An insight into structure and properties of carbopol. • Discussion on classification of carbopol based on trade names. • Influence of carbopol in development of oral, nasal, topical, transdermal and ophthalmic drug delivery systems.