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Network Biology, 2026, 16(4): 489-514
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Article

Xanthan gum-based hydrogels for colon-targeted drug delivery: A comprehensive review

Nishi Patel1, Purva Vaidya2, Neha Nagare2, Harshada Jagtap2, Rushika Unde, Anirvan Mukherjee2
1School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Advanced Research, Gujarat, India
2School of Sciences, Sanjivani University, Maharashtra, India

Received 11 January 2026;Accepted 20 January 2026;Published online 28 February 2026;Published 1 December 2026
IAEES

Abstract
The naturally occurring biopolymer xanthan gum (XG) has recently drawn attention due to its potential use in the development of colon-specific therapies and intelligent drug delivery systems. It is perfect for the development of more efficient delivery platforms due to its properties of being biocompatible, biodegradable, and sensitive to pH and enzyme exposure. XG can be made as a hydrogel or as a formulation that can be delivered to the colon by causing swelling and subsequent drug release, or it can stay in the stomach and small intestine. XG is frequently modified via graft polymerisation, ionic and chemical cross-linking, or other natural polysaccharides (alginates and konjac) or pH-sensitive polymers (acrylic acid) in order to obtain these functional properties. These methods can be used by researchers to change the hydrogel's mechanical strength, degree of drug release, and capacity to separate. These XG-based smart hydrogels use microbiota-responsive pathways or enzyme-triggered XG breakdown to release medicinal chemicals where they are needed. This reduces the possibility of unwanted side effects while simultaneously increasing the efficacy of treatment. These factors provide XG a particularly flexible base for colon-targeted delivery systems. Studies conducted in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated that XG hydrogel and XG/alginate coatings are capable of efficiently delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The drug delivery mechanisms also improved medication delivery to the colon by regulating the release systems. Together, these results lead us to the conclusion that XG hydrogels-such as chemically modified (carboxymethylated or grafted) XG-are efficient, adaptable, and scalable methods for delivering a range of medications and biologics to the colon.

Keywords XG;colon-targeted hydrogel;biopolymer;biocompatible;biodegradable.


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