A comprehensive review on the advancement of supramolecular polymers and their pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Abstract

Supramolecular polymer (SP) has emerged as an important field of study with diverse applications across material sciences, biology, and chemistry. This review provides comprehensive details of the recent advancements in SP focusing on their unique structural and functional properties and applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. The discussion encompasses various developmental strategies, including hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, host-guest interactions, and $\pi -\pi$ stacking, elucidating their impact on SP assembly and corresponding functional properties. Here, we explored the various applications of SP in drug delivery, gene and protein delivery, tissue engineering, and biomedical imaging technologies. Specifically, we addressed them in conjugation with the advancement in synthesizing SP with enhanced supramolecular properties such as stimuli-responsiveness to external environments, biocompatibility, biomimicking, and site targeting properties. The integration of SP into nanotechnology and corresponding applications as nanocarriers is also discussed. Furthermore, this review outlines the challenges and future directions in designing and developing advanced supramolecular materials for various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. By incorporating the latest research findings, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the design principles, applications, and future prospective of SP, offering valuable insights for researchers and scientists in multidisciplinary fields.