Abstract

Drug actions can be improved by developing new drug delivery systems, such as the mucoadhesive system. These systems remain in close contact with the absorption tissue, the mucous membrane, releasing the drug at the action site leading to a bioavailability increase and both local and systemic effects. Mucoadhesion is currently explained by six theories: electronic, adsorption, wettability, diffusion, fracture and mechanical. Several in vitro and in vivo methodologies are proposed for studying its mechanisms. However, mucoadhesion is not yet well understood. The aim of this study was to review the mechanisms and theories involved in mucoadhesion, as well as to describe the most-used methodologies and polymers in mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.

Highlights

  • The effect of a drug can be reinforced as a result of the development of new release systems

  • During the 1980s, this concept began to be applied to drug delivery systems

  • An extensive review on mucoadhesive systems was compiled by Andrews, Laverty and Jones (2008)

Read more

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The effect of a drug can be reinforced as a result of the development of new release systems. It is believed that the adhesion force increases with the degree of penetration of the polymer chains (Mathiowitz, Chickering, Lehr, 1999) This penetration rate depends on the diffusion coefficient, flexibility and nature of the mucoadhesive chains, mobility and contact time (Hägerström, 2003; Huang et al, 2000; Lee, Park, Robinson, 2000; Smart, 2005). These novel multifunctional mucoadhesive systems are classified as second generation polymers (Lee, Park, Robinson, 2000) They are an alternative to non-specific bioadhesives (Smart, 2005) because they bind or adhere to specific chemical structures on the cell or mucus surface. The percent adhesion rate of the release system onto the sac is determined by subtracting the residual mass from the initial mass (Santos et al, 1999)

METHODS
Rheological methods
CONCLUSIONS

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.