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Each and every route of DDS has its own applications, merits and demerits depending on the characteristics of DDS and drug. The oral route of administration has wide acceptance and constitute about 50-60% of total drug formulations. Dosage forms that are administered orally, solid oral dosage forms i.e. tablets and capsules, represent the preferred class of products. Tablets being the most widely used dosage form, have number of advantages like low cost, dose adjustment, high stability, speed of manufacturing, ease of administration, patient compliance, acceptance and flexibility in formulation. While designing controlled release systems for better absorption and enhanced bioavailability, one of the difficulties is the inability to confine the dosage form to the desired area of the GIT. Recently, several technical advancements have been made. These have resulted in the development of new techniques in drug delivery. Hydrophilic matrix dosage forms essentially consist of a compressed blend of hydrophilic polymer and drug. According to the generally accepted mechanism, the drug release from hydrophilic matrix dosage forms starts when the tablet comes in contact with GI fluid. The surface of the tablet hydrates to release exposed drug and at the same time form a viscous polymer mucilage or gel. This gel fills the interstices within the tablet, retarding further ingress of liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goals in development of drug delivery systems are to protect an active therapeutic molecule from premature degradation, enhance drug efficacy and minimize side effects. Ideally, controlled release systems can meet the criteria by maintaining the drug concentration within a therapeutic window over an extended period of time, minimizing dosage and frequency of administration. The oral route for drug delivery is regarded as the optimal route for achieving therapeutic benefits & patient compliance. Despite phenomenal advances in injectable, transdermal, nasal and other routes of administration, the reality is that oral drug delivery remains preferred delivery route. This paper provide detail information about preparation and evaluation of Nanocomposite gel using biopolymer gel as drug carrier for delivery of therapeutic agents. Nanocomposite using biopolymer can overcome the major challenges associated with this route of administration: mainly poor solubility, stability and biocompatibility of drugs. Biopolymer-clay mineral hydrogel composites are expected to impart novel properties due to the plate-like shape which may also affect the mechanical properties and thermal stability. The excellent properties of the biopolymer-clay mineral composites such as easy degradation, biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties are essential for controlled drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]