Recent Developments and Potential of Mucoadhesive Buccal Drug Delivery System for Oro-mucosal Disorders

Abstract

Background: The drug delivery across buccal mucosa is a very interesting option for the treatment of various oro-mucosal disorders such as aphthous stomatitis, periodontitis, gingivitis, toothache, periodontitis, and sjorgensen syndrome. But it is quite difficult because of target site movements, limited area for drug absorption, drinking of fluids, intake of food and saliva flow at regular intervals, contributing to poor retention and sub-therapeutic level of drug at the target site. Due to this, the mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery system has gained a great deal of attention among the various scientists and researchers over the last two decades. Methods: Mucoadhesion is a process of attachment between the natural or synthetic macromolecule and mucosal epithelial surface with the aid of interfacial attractive forces. The process of mucoadhesion has been extensively encouraged by the utilization of mucoadhesive polymers within the formulation that on contact with salivary fluid swells and adheres to buccal epithelium membrane, thus prolonging the drug release, retention time and improving therapeutic performance in case of oral diseases. The present review tries to cover the basic anatomy and structure of oral mucosa, pathways of drug absorption, the theory of mucoadhesion, mechanisms involved in mucoadhesion and various factors affecting mucoadhesion. Results: It highlights the properties of mucoadhesive polymers in drug delivery along with various dosage forms such as mucoadhesive tablets, films, patches, gels, and pastes. Furthermore, it also sheds light on the recent developments made in the field of mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery system that reflects the potential of this system for the effective treatment of oro-mucosal disorders. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery system has great potential in the near future for treating oro-mucosal disorders.