Abstract

 Mucoadhesive delivery systems offer several advantages over other oral controlled release systems by virtue of prolongation of residence time of drug, its targeting, and localization of the dosage form at a specific site. These advantages include bypass of first pass metabolism of the drug and hence more concentration of the drug is available for absorption. Mucoadhesion occurs between two surfaces, one of which is a mucous membrane and another is drug delivery system. These mucoadhesive systems are known to provide intimate contact between dosage form and the absorptive mucosa, resulting in a high drug influx through the absorbing tissue. Mucoadhesive formulations use polymers as the adhesive component. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are available in the form of tablets, films, patches, and gels for oral, buccal, nasal, ocular, vaginal, rectal and topical routes for both systemic and local effects. To design an effective particulate drug delivery system having mucoadhesive function, several mucoadhesion tests for polymers and for the resultant delivery systems should be developed. This paper lays main emphasis on evaluation parameters. This review article presents the theories of mucoadhesion and factors affecting mucoadhesion and techniques for invitro and in vivo evaluation of mucoadhesive dosage forms.

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