MUCOADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM – INNOVATIVE APPROACH AND DEVELOPMENT
The present mucoadhesive polymers are current interest in the design of drug delivery systems which interact with the mucus layer covering the mucosal epithelial surface, mucin molecules and increase the residence time of the dosage form at the site of absorption. Current uses of mucoadhesive based preparations include ophthalmic solutions, local applications to treat diseases, protein and peptide delivery etc. Several synthetic polymers are used for this purpose, since the biodegradability of the synthetic polymers are questionable, so polymers and mucoadhesive materials obtained from natural sources are used instead of synthetic polymers. Thus mucoadhesive dosage forms are advantageous in increasing the drug plasma concentrations and also therapeutic activity. In this regard, this review covers the areas of mechanisms and theories of mucoadhesion, factors influencing the mucoadhesive devices and also various mucoadhesive dosage forms.