Mucoadhesive drug delivery: mechanism and methods of evaluation

Abstract

This article gives a brief idea bioadhesive delivery systems based on hydrogels to biological surfaces that are covered by mucus. Techniques that are frequently used to evaluate the mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are discussed.  Mucoadhesion can be defined as a state in which two components, of which one is of biological origin are held together for extended periods of time by the help of interfacial forces. Mucoadhesion is a complex phenomenon which involves wetting, adsorption and interpenetration of polymer chains. The concept of mucoadhesion in drug delivery was introduced in the early 1980s. Thereafter, several researchers have focused on the investigations of the interfacial phenomena of mucoadhesion with the mucus. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems is one of the most important novel drug delivery systems with its various advantages and it has a lot of potential in formulating dosage forms for various chronic diseases.