Background: Biomimetism of synthetic biomaterials can be carried out at different levels, such as composition, structure, morphology, bulk and surface chemical-physical properties. Biomaterials can be turned into biomimetic imprinting of all these characteristics in order not only to optimise their interaction with biological tissues, but also to mimic biogenic materials in their functionalities.
Objective: This review outlines the biomimetic chemical-physical properties of inorganic matrices in controlling drug release.
Methods: This review is restricted to phosphates and silica among inorganic biomaterials proposed as drug delivery vehicles.
Conclusion: By mimicking nature, we can design and synthesise inorganic smart materials that are reactive towards biological tissues and can release bioactive molecules by a kinetic that is controlled not only by the matrix tailored chemical-physical properties, but also by the response to stimuli induced by physiological or pathological processes.