Bioadhesive Drug Delivery Systems -Background, Applications and Trends

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems have been used to improve and enhance drug bioavailability because the systems can contact with the absorption surface and prolong residence time resulting in a better absorption. Several polymers, particularly hydrophilic polymers containing numerous hydrogen bond (H-bond) forming groups (i.e. hydroxyl, carboxyl, amine and amide groups) have been investigated for mucoadhesive properties. The interaction between mucus and mucoadhesive materials is a result of physical entanglement and secondary bonding, mainly H-bonding and Van der Waals interaction.