Abstract
The potential of mucoadhesive delivery system for sustained delivery of drug has been established few decades back. Different polymeric systems such as single or combined, substituted, conjugated, pre-activated polymer (s) etc. are used to develop such delivery platform. To explain the mucoadhesion mechanism, several possible theories namely electronic theory, adsorption theory, wetting theory, diffusion theory, fraction theory and mechanical theory has been proposed. But none of these theories alone can explain the mechanism of mucoadhesion. Various mechanism of mucoadhesion or bioadhesion between polymer and mucin such as H bonding, electrostatic interactions, di-sulfide linkage, van Der Waals attraction etc have been evidenced. Researches are focused to enrich such interaction between the mucous layer and the delivery platform by modifying the system. Wide varieties of polymers such as cationic, anionic, non-ionic, thiolated polymers etc have been used to design and develop mucoadhesive drug delivery system. Therefore reviewing and analyzing the mucoadhesive polymeric system and their mechanism of action is still relevant and necessary. The aim of this current review is to highlight the polymers which are being used under recent scientific researches with emphasis on their mechanism of mucoadhesion. The outcome of this review will help researchers to screen the mucoadhesive polymers for their intended use.
Highlights
Mucoadhesive formulation contains one or more hydrophilic polymers along with drug
In this review different polymers that are used in recent times to design and develop modified drug delivery system (MDDS) are discussed with special emphasis on the mechanism of mucoadhesion exerted by respective polymer (s)
Based on the mechanism of mucoadhesion the classification of polymers is very difficult because either the polymers act by more than one mechanisms or the mechanism is not fully understood. Based on these considerations in this review we have described the polymers used for mucoadhesive delivery system with respect to the main chemical groups
Summary
Mucoadhesive formulation contains one or more hydrophilic polymers along with drug. When it comes in contact to saliva, due to the aqueous nature of saliva it becomes wet and the drug releases from the system. The success of MDDS depends on the ability of the polymer/s to retain at the mucous layer and to sustain the drug release. This indicates the importance of polymeric properties for successful development of mucoadhesive preparation. In general polymers consisting carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl groups with certain molecular weight have potential to prolong retention of the system with mucous layer (Bader and Putnam, 2013). In this review different polymers that are used in recent times to design and develop MDDS are discussed with special emphasis on the mechanism of mucoadhesion exerted by respective polymer (s). Chatterjee et al / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 7 (05); 2017: 195-203
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