Advances in Polymer-Based Controlled Release Systems for Ursolic Acid: Enhancing Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy

  • Unique Paper ID: 195369
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 11
  • PageNo: 176-184
  • Abstract:
  • Ursolic acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in medicinal plants, has gained significant attention due to its diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, the clinical application of UA is significantly limited by its poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, and consequently reduced oral bioavailability. These biopharmaceutical challenges necessitate the development of advanced drug delivery strategies to enhance its efficacy. Polymer-based controlled release systems have emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations. Various natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic polymers such as chitosan, alginate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and Eudragit have been extensively investigated for their ability to modulate drug release, improve solubility, and enhance the stability of UA. These systems, including matrix tablets, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and lipid-polymer hybrid carriers, enable sustained drug release, maintain therapeutic plasma concentrations, and improve patient compliance. Recent advancements in polymer science, including the development of smart and stimuli-responsive polymers, have further improved the efficiency of UA delivery systems. This review comprehensively discusses the formulation strategies, mechanisms of controlled release, and evaluation parameters of polymer-based UA delivery systems. Additionally, it highlights recent research trends and technological innovations aimed at enhancing bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, polymer-based controlled release systems represent a promising platform for improving the clinical potential of ursolic acid, with future research focusing on advanced nanocarriers, large-scale production, and clinical translation.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{195369,
        author = {Sonam R Thombare},
        title = {Advances in Polymer-Based Controlled Release Systems for Ursolic Acid: Enhancing Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {176-184},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=195369},
        abstract = {Ursolic acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in medicinal plants, has gained significant attention due to its diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, the clinical application of UA is significantly limited by its poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, and consequently reduced oral bioavailability. These biopharmaceutical challenges necessitate the development of advanced drug delivery strategies to enhance its efficacy.
Polymer-based controlled release systems have emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations. Various natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic polymers such as chitosan, alginate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and Eudragit have been extensively investigated for their ability to modulate drug release, improve solubility, and enhance the stability of UA. These systems, including matrix tablets, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and lipid-polymer hybrid carriers, enable sustained drug release, maintain therapeutic plasma concentrations, and improve patient compliance. Recent advancements in polymer science, including the development of smart and stimuli-responsive polymers, have further improved the efficiency of UA delivery systems. This review comprehensively discusses the formulation strategies, mechanisms of controlled release, and evaluation parameters of polymer-based UA delivery systems. Additionally, it highlights recent research trends and technological innovations aimed at enhancing bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes.
In conclusion, polymer-based controlled release systems represent a promising platform for improving the clinical potential of ursolic acid, with future research focusing on advanced nanocarriers, large-scale production, and clinical translation.},
        keywords = {Ursolic acid, controlled release, polymers, bioavailability, sustained release, drug delivery},
        month = {April},
        }

Cite This Article

Thombare, S. R. (2026). Advances in Polymer-Based Controlled Release Systems for Ursolic Acid: Enhancing Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(11), 176–184.

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