Advanced materials for drug delivery across mucosal barriers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Pharmaceutics
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Mucus acts as a protective barrier, trapping foreign particles and drug delivery systems, leading to premature clearance.
• Effective drug delivery to mucosal tissues requires overcoming mucus's physical and biological barriers.
• Mucoadhesion and mucus penetration are critical for prolonging drug residence time and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in materials for mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating drug delivery systems.
• To discuss strategies for designing drug carriers that can adhere to or penetrate mucosal layers.
• To highlight the role of materials chemistry in developing innovative mucosal drug delivery solutions.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of materials used in mucosal drug delivery.
• Analysis of synthesis, physical, and chemical modifications of mucoadhesive materials.
• Examination of nanocarriers, viral mimics, and other advanced systems for mucus interaction.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in materials chemistry has expanded the options for mucosal drug delivery.
• Biocompatible materials are increasingly utilized for developing effective mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating carriers.
• Tailoring material properties is crucial for optimizing drug delivery based on the target site and therapeutic goal.

Conclusions:

• Innovations in materials science offer promising strategies to overcome mucus barriers in drug delivery.
• Careful selection and modification of materials are essential for designing successful mucosal drug delivery systems.
• Future research should focus on developing advanced materials for targeted and efficient drug delivery via mucosal routes.