Lectins for drug delivery within the oral cavity--investigation of lectin binding to oral mucosa.

The aim of this study was to identify receptors present on the buccal mucosa in order to select appropriate lectins that will allow the retention of a dosage form within the oral cavity. Studies using human buccal cells, the avidin-biotin-complex/diaminobenzidine method for identifying lectin binding and a microdensitometer to allow a semi-quantitative analysis of stain intensity, showed a wide diversity of lectin receptors. Kinetic studies of lectin binding to buccal cells revealed significant binding after 20 s, particularly for lectins from Pisum sativum and Arachis hypogaea. A significant reduction in lectin binding was observed after exposing buccal cells to a series of lectin solutions pre-treated with a large excess of secretor or non-secretor saliva. However when bound to the buccal cells, there was little displacement of lectins on exposure to either saliva types. Further studies on rat oral tissue suggested that the lectins appeared to bind to varying degrees on whole oral epithelial surfaces although differences in binding between this and the human buccal cell model were evident. It was concluded that a wide range of possible target receptors for lectins are present on rat oral epithelium and human buccal cells. Lectin binding to these receptors can be affected by the exposure time and the presence of saliva.