text: Another advantage of poly(pseudo)rotaxanes is the ability for long-term release of drugs or genes. Some polyrotaxanes can used to form a physical hydrogel, which is called supramolecular hydrogel. In these cases, a three-dimensional physically crosslinked network formed by the poly(pseudo)rotaxanes, can be obtained, which is able to retain a large amount of water inside this network. If water-soluble drugs or genes are added in the solution, it could be capsulated in the supramolecular hydrogels. Also, functional units can be employed in the units of the poly(pseudo)rotaxanes, which enhances the interaction between the poly(pseudo)rotaxanes and capsulated drugs/genes and provides the carriers with other predetermined functions. As the network is further swollen in the water-based environment, part of the carrier will be dissolved gradually, so the capsulated drug or gene can be released from the hydrogels over a long period of time.