Emerging pressure-release materials for drug delivery.

Drug delivery systems for non-specialist uses and application under field conditions are required for medical action in disaster situations and in developing countries. A possible solution for drug delivery under those conditions might be provided by mechanical manipulation of host-guest interactions that could allow drug release control by simple human actions such as hand motion. This editorial article presents recent research developments on control of molecular recognition, capture and release involving macroscopic mechanical motions. In particular, pressure-induced drug release from a cyclodextrin-linked gel has been used to realize controlled release of entrapped drugs upon applying an easy-to-perform mechanical procedure. These easy-action-based drug delivery systems can be applied at will by unskilled staff or patients and are expected to be used to assist medically patients in less-favorable environments anywhere in the world.