A Pioneer Review on Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding in Drug-Polymer Mixtures: Implication of a Stable Delivery System

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding plays a pivotal role in the stability and efficacy of drug-polymer mixtures, which are essential components in modern drug delivery systems. The knowledge of prominent interactions might provide a means to optimize the physiochemical stability of the developed targeted system. Hence, this review explores the fundamental principles of hydrogen bonding in drug-polymer interactions which can significantly influence the solubility, stability and release profiles of pharmaceutical formulations. The review provides an in-depth examination of the types of functional groups that participate in hydrogen bonding, the characterization techniques employed to study these interactions and the implications of hydrogen bonding on drug delivery. Case studies of successful drug-polymer systems stabilized by hydrogen bonding are presented, highlighting the practical applications and challenges associated with these formulations. Furthermore, the review discusses the future perspectives in this field, including the design of novel polymers and the integration of computational modeling to predict hydrogen bonding behavior. By understanding and leveraging hydrogen bonding, researchers can optimize drug delivery systems, ensuring enhanced bioavailability, controlled release and improved patient outcomes. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for pharmaceutical scientists and formulators, offering insights into the strategic use of hydrogen bonding to develop more effective and stable drug delivery systems.