title: Mucoadhesive vs. mucopenetrating particulate drug delivery.
abstract: Mucus layer is a hydrophilic absorption barrier found in various regions of the body. The use of particulate delivery systems showed potential in drug delivery to mucosal membranes by either prolonging drug residence time at the absorption or target membrane or promoting permeation of particles across mucus gel layer to directly reach underlying epithelium. Mucoadhesive particles (MAP) are advantageous for delivering drug molecules to various mucosal membranes including eyes, oral cavity, bladder and vagina by prolonging drug residence time on those membranes. In contrast, a broader particle distribution and deeper penetration of the mucus gel layer are accomplished by mucopenetrating particles (MPP) especially in the gastrointestinal tract. Based on the available literature in particular dealing with in vivo results none of both systems (MAP and MPP) seems to be advantageous over the other. The choice of system primarily depends on the therapeutic target and peculiar properties of the target mucosa including thickness of the mucus gel layer, mucus turnover rate and water movement within the mucus. Future trends are heading in the direction of combining both systems to one i.e. mucoadhesive and mucopenetrating properties on the same particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Kesinee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Netsomboon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: andreas.bernkop@uibk.ac.at.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernkop-Schnürch
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000268:Adhesiveness; D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; C006903:carbopol 940; D010368:Pectins; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002482:Cellulose; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Firm mucus; Loose mucus; Mucoadhesion; Mucopenetration; Polymers