Summary of - Nanotechnology-based mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating drug-delivery systems for transbuccal drug delivery

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Buccal drug-delivery systems present a promising approach for the drug delivery to the buccal mucosa, addressing oral cavity-specific problems, enabling systemic delivery and minimizing adverse effects on biological systems. Numerous strategies have been proposed to load drug-containing nanoparticles

(NPs) to the buccal mucosa for local and systemic applications. There has been considerable interest in the development of mucoadhesive buccal formulations, particularly hydrogel composites utilizing mucoadhesive films incorporating NPs. Drug permeability and controlled drug release through buccal drug

delivery continues to pose a challenge despite the availability of various remedies. This review by Desai DD, Manikkath J et al., highlights the need for, mechanisms and latest advances in NP-based transbuccal drug delivery with a focus on colloidal nanoparticulate systems, micelles, liposomes, polymeric nanofibers, gold NPs, mesoporous silica NPs, nanoemulsions, polymeric NPs and dendrimers. NPs and mucoadhesion, and NPs in mucoadhesive films are also discussed in detail. The article also highlights the pathological disorders where transbuccal NPs have been investigated such as oral squamous cell carcinoma, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, infectious diseases such as HIV infection, oral candidiasis, periodontitis and herpes simplex infection.

Executive Summary:

  • Background

• The buccal route offers a hopeful approach for delivering drugs through the oral cavity for systemic and local

effects.

• Buccal formulations employ mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating strategies, owing to the presence of the characteristic buccal mucosa. Formulations can be in the form of tablets, films, patches, wafers, semisolids or liquids.

• Due to the many limitations of conventional dosage forms, application of nanotechnology in buccal drug delivery can be useful. Employed nanoparticles (NPs) can themselves be mucoadhesive or can be administered in a mucoadhesive matrix.

• The foundational knowledge about the oral mucosa and proposed theories of mucoadhesion and mucopenetration give direction for designing mucoadhesive dosage forms.

  • NPs for buccal drug delivery

• Nanoparticulate strategies can exhibit higher retention at the site of absorption, improved bioavailability, greater efficacy and lower systemic toxicity compared with conventional dosage forms.

  • NPs & mucoadhesion

• Mucoadhesion is achieved by the aid of mucoadhesive polymers for NP synthesis or incorporation of NPs in mucoadhesive hydrogel films. Composition and physicochemical properties of mucoadhesive NPs like size, charge,

hydrophobicity and rigidity influence the extent of their mucoadhesion.

• The main nanoparticulate delivery vehicles are polymeric NPs, solid lipid NPs, liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers and gold NPs.

  • NPs in mucoadhesive films

• Films have the advantage of greater patient compliance, especially in pediatric and dysphagic populations. Numerous film formulations have been commercialized for diabetes by the incorporation of NPs. Mucoadhesive

hydrogels present another attractive option for longer release periods.

NP-delivered dosage forms for buccal delivery in various pathological conditions

• The pathological conditions where drug can be delivered through buccal route include oral carcinomas where drug is taken up by the tumor locally, and other conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neurological

disorders and infectious diseases where systemic delivery is required.

  • Future perspective

• The potential offered by buccal route of drug delivery could be harnessed for the treatment of several chronic disorders. Recent advancements in this area of study could make the engineering of these desired nanosystems highly possible, with higher ratios of clinical translation.

Citation:

Desai D, Manikkath J, Lad H, Kulkarni M, Manikkath A, Radhakrishnan R. Nanotechnology-based mucoadhesive and mucus-penetrating drug-delivery systems for transbuccal drug delivery. Nanomedicine (London). 2023; 18(21):1495-1514. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0180

Publication Date

2023

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