Recent Advances in the Application of Hydrogels as Drug Carriers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and refractory disease with increasing incidence, adversely impacting millions of patients worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies for IBD often exhibit considerable adverse effects, limited efficacy, and a high tendency for recurrence, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. Hydrogel, a three-dimensional hydrophilic network polymer material known for its excellent biocompatibility and responsiveness to stimuli, has been effectively utilized as a drug carrier across various therapeutic systems. The hydrogels' application in IBD treatment holds significant promise for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. This review synthesizes recent advancements in leveraging hydrogels as drug carriers for IBD management. The discussion encompasses the response mechanisms of hydrogels, their application in IBD therapy, and methods of administration. As drug delivery matrices, hydrogels exhibit considerable potential for treating IBD.