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Hybrid Mucointeractive Delivery Systems-Alternative Approaches to Mucosal Delivery
Konrad Zabielski1, Paweł Sajkiewicz1, Angelika Zaszczyńska1
1Laboratory of Polymers & Biomaterials, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5b St., 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Hybrid mucointeractive delivery systems combine multiple strategies to overcome mucus barriers for improved therapeutic delivery. These advanced systems offer potential for enhanced drug access to mucosal tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmaceutics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Mucosa lines various body cavities, presenting an attractive route for drug administration.
- The mucus layer poses a significant barrier to therapeutic biomolecule delivery.
- Existing mucointeractive strategies (mucoadhesion, mucodiffusion, mucolysis) have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of hybrid mucointeractive delivery systems.
- To discuss the potential, future, and limitations of these systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging drug delivery systems combining multiple mucointeractive strategies.
- Categorization of systems into particle-releasing macrostructures (gels, foams, films, fibers) and other systems (zeta potential-changing particles, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems).
Main Results:
- Hybrid systems integrate multiple mucointeractive approaches to enhance drug delivery.
- Examples include macrostructures and specialized particle systems.
- These systems aim to improve therapeutic outcomes by overcoming mucus barriers.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid mucointeractive delivery systems represent a promising advancement in drug delivery.
- Further research is needed to fully realize their potential and address limitations.
- These systems offer improved prospects for topical and systemic drug delivery via mucosal routes.
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