Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery Systems in Oral Applications

Mucoadhesive oral drug delivery systems are engineered to adhere to the mucosal surfaces of the mouth, extending the residence time of active pharmaceutical ingredients and improving both local and systemic therapeutic outcomes. By exploiting interfacial forces between bioadhesive polymers and the mucus layer, these systems can bypass limitations of conventional oral tablets and liquids such as rapid clearance by saliva, first-pass metabolism and fluctuating gastrointestinal conditions. Key formulation strategies include the selection of mucoadhesive polymers (for example hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan and carbomers), incorporation of permeation enhancers to facilitate transmucosal transport, and fine-tuning of mechanical properties to balance flexibility, adhesion strength and patient comfort. Dosage forms range from gels and patches to films and wafers, each offering distinct handling and release characteristics. Advances in manufacturing—such as solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion and emerging three-dimensional printing—enable precise control of thickness, drug loading and multi-drug compartmentalisation. In addition to improved bioavailability and onset of action, these systems show promise for paediatric and geriatric administration, local treatment of oral lesions and vaccine delivery, highlighting their global significance and versatile clinical applications.

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Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery Systems in Oral Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mucoadhesive drug delivery systems in oral applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Mucoadhesion: The ability of a material to adhere to mucosal surfaces, prolonging residence time of a dosage form.

Buccal mucosa: The inner lining of the cheek, used as a delivery site for systemic and local drug absorption.

Permeation enhancer: A compound that transiently increases the permeability of the mucosal barrier to improve drug uptake.

Nanoparticulate carrier: Submicron-sized particles designed to encapsulate drugs, protecting them and enhancing mucosal penetration.

Solvent casting: A film-manufacturing technique in which a polymer solution is spread and dried to form thin, uniform dosage forms.

References

1. Advances in Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Approaches for Sublingual and Buccal Administration. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2019).
2. An Updated Overview of the Emerging Role of Patch and Film-Based Buccal Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics (2021).
3. Formulation and Optimization of Sodium Alginate Polymer Film as a Buccal Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery System Containing Cetirizine Dihydrochloride. Pharmaceutics (2021).