title: Polymeric nanofibers: targeted gastro-retentive drug delivery systems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional oral dosage forms exhibit poor/low bioavailability due to incomplete release of drug and short residence time at the absorption site. Gastro-retentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) is particularly used to improve bioavailability of the drugs, which have narrow absorption window down in the levels of gastrointestinal tract and also to treat local disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review is to describe the utility of the nanofibers as gastro-retentive dosage form. From last few decades, formulation scientists have put extensive efforts to develop suitable gastro-retentive drug delivery system, which is appropriate for commercialization. Current approaches used for preparation of gastro-retentive drug delivery system offers limited functional features to control the floating behavior. Recently, an extensive research has been developed to improve the gastric residence time by using nanofibers, which ultimately leads to the increased bioavailability of the drug. Multiple functional features and unique properties of nanofibers improve its gastro retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nanofiber system provides stomach-specific drug release for longer duration; moreover, increased local action of the drug due to prolonged contact time with the gastric mucosa. Thus, the nanofiber system promises to be the potential approach for gastric retention drug delivery system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy , Moga, Punjab , India.
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Amit K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Goutam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rath
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D065570:Gastric Absorption; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Controlled drug delivery; floating system; gastro-retentive drug delivery system; nanofibers