Advances in drug delivery and biomedical applications of hydroxyapatite-based systems: a review

The application of biomaterials such as biopolymers and bioceramics is developed in tissue engineering and drug delivery fields. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is considered one of the essential bioceramics due to its suitable properties, such as biocompatibility and similarity to the mineral composition of bone. This review article focuses on some recent advances in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering in which HAp had played a significant role. These systems are divided into HAp -based systems, HAp composites, metal-doped HAp, and 3D-printed systems. However, the review will summarize the most common HAp preparation methods and introduce the different kinds of drugs loaded in the HAp based drug delivery systems. (author)