Therapeutic potential of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems--an updated patent review.

There has been a burgeoning interest among the research scientists to associate the drugs to polymeric particulate systems due to the propensity of these systems to interact with the mucosal surface. Transmucosal delivery of drugs through mucosal lining of nasal, rectal, vaginal, ocular and oral cavity entails advantages like prolongation of residence time at the absorption site, enhanced contact with underlying mucosa eventually leading to enhanced absorption of the active ingredient. Such systems not only provide local targeting of drugs but also offer a better control over their systemic delivery. Hence, the objective of the present review is to provide an overview of the mucoadhesive drug delivery systems with special emphasis on the intellectual aspects of these systems. This paper also attempts to extend the information present on mucoadhesive drug delivery systems in the existing literature by focussing on the update on the patents granted as well as applications published for these systems. Some newer mucoadhesive formulations like mucoadhesive microparticles and nanoparticles have also been discussed.