International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Achievements in Thermosensitive Gelling Systems for Rectal Administration Maria Bialik, Marzena Kuras, Marcin Sobczak and Ewa Oledzka * Department of Biomaterials Chemistry, Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Biomaterials, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha St., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
[email protected] (M.B.);
[email protected] (M.K.);
[email protected] (M.S.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +48-22-572-07-55 Abstract: Rectal drug delivery is an effective alternative to oral and parenteral treatments. This route allows for both local and systemic drug therapy. Traditional rectal dosage formulations have histori- cally been used for localised treatments, including laxatives, hemorrhoid therapy and antipyretics. However, this form of drug dosage often feels alien and uncomfortable to a patient, encouraging refusal. The limitations of conventional solid suppositories can be overcome by creating a thermosen- sitive liquid suppository. Unfortunately, there are currently only a few studies describing their use in therapy. However, recent trends indicate an increase in the development of this modern therapeutic system. This review introduces a novel rectal drug delivery system with the goal of summarising recent developments in thermosensitive liquid suppositories for analgesic, anticancer, antiemetic, antihypertensive, psychiatric, antiallergic, anaesthetic, antimalarial drugs and insulin. The report also presents the impact of various types of components and their concentration on the properties of this rectal dosage form. Further research into such formulations is certainly needed in order to meet Citation: Bialik, M.; Kuras, M.; the high demand for modern, efficient rectal gelling systems. Continued research and development Sobczak, M.; Oledzka, E.