title: Microparticulate drug delivery systems.
abstract: Chitosan was proposed as a drug carrier for mucosal administration in ocular, buccal, nasal, gastroenteric and vaginal-uterine therapies based on its bioadhesive properties and biodegradability in vivo under the action of hydrolases. Examples are the delivery of acyclovir via ocular administration, and the delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid to the colon. Microparticles may need to be cross-linked to retard their degradation in acidic media; yet cross-linking with glutaraldehyde introduces cytotoxic characteristics and depresses bioadhesion. Alternative cross-linking approaches are discussed along with the suitability of chitosan for the oral delivery of vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Genta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perugini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pavanetto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Modena
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Muzzarelli
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D048271:Chitosan; D004337:Drug Carriers
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D004337:Drug Carriers; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan; D000212:Acyclovir