Mucosal drug delivery explores the significance of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems in enhancing drug bioavailability and sustained release. It delves into the mechanisms of muco-adhesion, highlighting the role of various polymers. The review also discusses challenges and recent advancements in formulating effective mucoadhesive drug delivery systems, offering insights into their potential applications for targeted and localized drug delivery. It examines the diverse range of polymers employed in mucoadhesive formulations, such as chitosan, alginate, and Carbopol, discussing their specific characteristics and advantages. This addresses the influence of physiological factors, such as pH and mucus composition, on the performance of mucoadhesive systems. Furthermore, light on recent advancements in the field, including the integration of nanotechnology and innovative polymer blends to optimize mucoadhesive properties. It emphasizes the potential of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems in achieving site-specific targeting, minimizing side effects, and improving patient compliance. In addition, the abstract highlights challenges associated with mucoadhesive formulations, including variability in mucosal surfaces and potential toxicity concerns, while proposing strategies to address these issues. A mucosal patch is a drug delivery system designed to adhere to mucosal surfaces, such as those found in the oral cavity, nasal passages, or vaginal area. These patches are formulated with mucoadhesive materials that enable them to stick to the mucosal membrane, allowing for controlled drug release directly at the site of application. The mucosal patch offers advantages like enhanced bioavailability, rapid onset of action, and reduced systemic side effects. These patches can be designed for various therapeutic purposes, including local treatment of mucosal infections, hormone delivery, or management of conditions affecting specific mucosal tissues. In addition to mucoadhesive polymers, mucosal patches may incorporate drug-loaded nanoparticles or microparticles for sustained release.
Keywords: Mucoadhesion; Bioadhesive polymer; Permeation enhancer; Drug Delivery System; Patches.
How to cite this article: Manapure SR; Pande VB; Khanke P; Venkatachalam T; Chandel SS, A Novel Perspective on Pharmaceutical Research: Mucoadhesive Patches. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2025;15(4): 1776-1782, DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.15.4.30