Impact of Mucoadhesive Membrane Formulations on Bioavailability

Document Type : Mini-reviews

Authors

1 Faculty of Pharmacy - Suez Canal University

2 Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.

3 Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt

4 Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University

5 Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt.

Abstract

Mucoadhesive polymers have crucial roles in drug delivery systems that facilitate targeted therapies in the colonic area. The polymers facilitate drug transport across mucosal tissue, so circumventing hepatic first-pass metabolism and providing protection against gastrointestinal enzyme breakdown. The prolonged retention of mucoadhesive dosage forms at the site of action allows for sustained drug release, which boosts bioavailability levels and improves therapeutic impact. The adhesive capabilities of these polymers enable them to create transient attachments to mucosal surfaces, thus prolonging drug exposure on the colonic mucosa. Considerable benefits exist, but challenges remain because mucosal conditions differ between patients and because products must be biocompatible. Medical applications of mucoadhesive polymers cover diverse uses that include delivering anti-inflammatory drugs to specific sites of irritable bowel syndrome and enabling drug administration through localized routes to activate systemic therapeutic mechanisms successfully. The review starts with an overview of mucosal membrane structure, followed by explanations about mucoadhesion mechanisms, as well as theories, and then concludes with a summary of mucoadhesive systems advantages against conventional delivery systems. The review discusses recent developments in research regarding mucoadhesive properties and polymers.

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