AN OVERVIEW OF MUCOADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM AND MUCOADHESIVE AGENTS

Abstract

Drug actions can be improved by developing new drug delivery systems, such as the mucoadhesive system. The mucoadhesive drug delivery system is a popular novel drug delivery method because mucous membranes are relatively permeable, allowing for the rapid uptake of a drug into the systemic circulation and avoiding the first pass metabolism. 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 and mucoadhesive agents used in mucoadhesive drug delivery system. 

Keywords: Mucoadhesion, Bioadhesion, mucoadhesive  mechanism, natural mucoadhesive agents, systhetic mucoadhesive agents.