![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems (MDDS) are specifically designed to interact and bind to the mucosal layer of the epithelium for localized, prolonged, and/or targeted drug delivery. Over the past 4 decades, several dosage forms have been developed for localized as well as systemic drug delivery at different anatomical sites.
Areas covered
The objective of this review is to provide a detailed understanding of the different aspects of MDDS. Part II describes the origin and evolution of MDDS, followed by a discussion of the properties of mucoadhesive polymers. Finally, a synopsis of the different commercial aspects of MDDS, recent advances in the development of MDDS for biologics and COVID-19 as well as future perspectives are provided.
Expert opinion
A review of the past reports and recent advances reveal MDDS as highly versatile, biocompatible, and noninvasive drug delivery systems. The rise in the number of approved biologics, the introduction of newer highly efficient thiomers, as well as the recent advances in the field of nanotechnology have led to several excellent applications of MDDS, which are predicted to grow significantly in the future.
Graphical abstract
Article highlights
Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems (MDDS) are designed to adhere to specific mucosal tissue sites (such as GIT, nasal, oral, pulmonary, vaginal ophthalmic, and intravesical) in the body for local or systemic action. Diverse applications of MDDS have emerged in the past few decades, which have been detailed in the manuscript.
Mucoadhesive polymers must have optimum moisture and surface energy to ensure proper wetting, swelling, and interpenetration into the mucus layer.
Chitosan is a cationic polymer with excellent mucoadhesive properties explored in MDDS via different routes. It binds to mucin via hydrogen and ionic bonds.
The degree of crosslinking, hydration, pH (charge on polymer), functional group, and molecular weight of the polymers dictates its mucoadhesive strength.
Thiolated polymers bind to the mucin via disulfide bonds and have an exceptional binding affinity to the mucus layer, making them desirable polymer candidates for numerous drug delivery applications.
Several recent MDDS demonstrate a combination of mucoadhesive polymers with other excipients such as permeation enhancers and hydrogels for versatile applications such as prolonged/controlled drug release or for improved drug absorption. These strategies are especially useful in the case of complications such as COVID-19.
Advancement in nanotechnology has diversified MDDS applications even further. The confluence of unique size and surface morphology of nano systems with mucoadhesive polymers have improved mucoadhesion along with increased cellular uptake and drug absorption.
This box summarizes key points contained in the article.
Abbreviations
API active pharmaceutical ingredient
MDDS mucoadhesive drug delivery systems
GIT gastrointestinal tract
MPP mucus penetrating particle
HPMA N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide
HPMC hydroxy methyl propyl cellulose
PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone
NP nanoparticle
CPP cell penetrating peptide
CA calcium alginate
PEG polyethylene glycol
CMC carboxymethylcellulose
HPC hydroxy propyl cellulose
MCC microcrystalline cellulose
MW molecular weight
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HPV human papillomavirus
CAGR compound annual growth rate
DPI dry powder inhaler
HPMCP hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate
NLC nano lipid carriers
WHO World Health Organization
PAMAM poly(amidoamine)
PAT process analytical technology
QBD quality by design
NIH National Institute of Health
PVA polyvinyl alcohol
PVP polyvinyl pyrrolidone
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
UC ulcerative colitis
CD Crohn’s disease
AUC area under the curve
t1/2 half life
Cmax maximum plasma concentration
Cl clearance
MRT Mean residence time
SD standard deviation
CLSM Confocal laser scanning microscopy
Dex-CGS-NPs dexamethasone-glycol chitosan self-assembled nanoparticles
NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.