The Potential of Statins for Buccal Delivery

Abstract

Statins minimize the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol preventing the onset and development of artherosclerosis and are therefore used as an effective treatment against primary hypercholesterolemia. Statins do exhibit antiinflammatory, vasculoprotective, and antioxidant effects. The promising delivery of statins across the buccal mucosa poses a continuing challenge as well as a great opportunity. Buccal delivery has progressed far beyond the use of traditional dosage forms with novel approaches emerging continuously. Buccal drug delivery system in which drug enters directly in systemic circulation thereby by passing the first pass effect. The buccal route has been researched for a wide variety of drugs and has gained significant attention and momentum since it offers remarkable advantages. Buccal adhesive systems offer innumerable advantages in terms of accessibility, administration and withdrawal, retentivity, enhanced bioavailability, avoid first pass effect. At the current global scenario, scientists are finding ways to develop buccal adhesive systems through various approaches to improve the bioavailability of antihyperlipidemic drugs by manipulation of the formulation strategies like inclusion of pH modifiers, enzyme inhibitors, permeation enhances. This review highlights the buccal delivery approaches of statins.