The present review aims to summarize the research efforts undertaken in the last
few years in the development and testing of hydrogel-clay nanocomposites proposed as carriers
for controlled release of diverse drugs. Their advantages, disadvantages and different
compositions of polymers/biopolymers with diverse types of clays, as well as their interactions
are discussed. Illustrative examples of studies regarding hydrogel-clay nanocomposites
are detailed in order to underline the progressive researches on hydrogel-clay-drug pharmaceutical
formulations able to respond to a series of demands for the most diverse applications.
Brief descriptions of the different techniques used for the characterization of the obtained
complex hybrid materials such as: swelling, TGA, DSC, FTIR, XRD, mechanical,
SEM, TEM and biology tests, are also included. Enlightened by the presented data, we can
suppose that hydrogel-clay nanocomposites will still be a challenging subject of global assiduous
researches. We can dare to dream to an efficient drug delivery platform for the
treatment of multiple affection concomitantly, these being undoubtedly like ”a tree of life”
bearing different kinds of fruits and leaves proper for human healing.
