Poloxamer: A Novel Functional Molecule For Drug Delivery And Gene Therapy

Aim: Poloxamer a block copolymer is well known for its thermoreversible property also has several other properties used in several formulations for its advantage over optimising the drug release from its formulation with a sol-gel transition property. Methods: Poloxamer exhibits in a sol state at less than room temperature and gets converted to a gel state at body temperature (37.2°C) thus modifying drug release characteristics. Poloxamer formulations were also evaluated for other therapeutic properties for both in-vitro and in-vivo based on its specific property. Poloxamer is frequently used polymer, which showed a good solubilisation capacity and an enhanced release profile of many poorly soluble drugs for several route of administrations such as oral, topical, ocular, rectal, vaginal, nasal and parenterals. Even inclusion of active ingredients in liposomes, micro and nano formulations were performed and showed more satisfying results. The recent inventions gave a good breakthrough in Poloxamer market due to its agreeable application in gene therapy and cytotoxicity studies. Conclusion: This work extensively concentrates on the different grades of Poloxamer for its physical and biological applications.