Title: A Review On Floating In-Situ Gastric Gels: Mechanisms, Polymeric Systems, and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Enti Srivalli
Divya Soni
Bharti Rao
Shruti Vishwakarma
Sakshi Soni
Shobha Sahu
Dr. Gyanesh Kumar Sahu
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 9-18
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
Although oral drug delivery is still the most popular method of administration, the short half-lives of pharmaceuticals in the stomach and the limited absorption windows of many therapeutic agents sometimes limit its efficacy. In order to overcome these limitations, floating in-situ gel systems have become a novel approach. These systems exist as low-viscosity solutions before ingestion and then change into buoyant gels upon contact with gastric fluid, extending the residence time of the dosage form and enabling sustained drug release, in contrast to traditional liquid formulations that quickly empty from the stomach. One or more physiological triggers, such as variations in pH, body temperature, and ionic environment, are responsible for the transformation from solution to gel. For this purpose, a variety of natural polysaccharides, including sodium alginate, pectin, gellan gum, chitosan, and xyloglucan, as well as synthetic polymers like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamers, are utilized. Characterizing gelation behavior, buoyancy, rheology, drug content homogeneity, and in vitro drug release kinetics are all part of the evaluation process for these systems. With reference to representative drug candidates that have been successfully integrated into such platforms, this review compiles published findings on the formulation principles, gelation mechanisms, polymer selection criteria, evaluation methodologies, and current clinical relevance of floating oral in-situ gel systems.