Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
Published on: February 9, 2016
Recent Advancements in Using Polymers for Intestinal Mucoadhesion and Mucopenetration
Essi Taipaleenmäki1, Brigitte Städler1
1Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
Oral administration of actives is the most desired form of delivery, but the formulations need to overcome a variety of barriers including the intestinal mucus. This feature article summarizes the developments from the past 2-3 years in this context focusing on polymer-based formulations. The progress in assembling mucopenetrating nanoparticles is outlined considering coatings using noninteracting polymers as well as virus-like particles and charge-shifting particles. Next, polymers and their modification to enhance mucoadhesion are discussed, followed by providing examples of double-encapsulation systems that aim to combine mucopenetration with mucoadhesion in the same formulation. Finally, a short outlook is provided highlighting a few of the most pressing challenges to address.
Related Concept Videos
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...

