A focus on mucoadhesive polymers and their application in buccal dosage forms

Mucosa of the buccal cavity is considered a convenient and easily accessible site for the administration of drugs intended for both local and systemic delivery. Aiming to optimize the pharmacokinetic, buccal mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are proposed. Mucoadhesion is a complex process involving chemical interactions between mucin and polymers. The success and degree of mucoadhesion bonding is based on various polymer-based features. The evolution of such systems has moved from first-generation hydrophilic polymers, able to form unspecific interactions, to more specific second-generation systems based on lectins, or on novel materials obtained by modification of polymers with various functional groups such as thiol groups. A wide range of formulations has been proposed for the delivery of small molecules, but comparatively few have found their way onto the market. The article reviews the information regarding the most promising mucoadhesive polymers and their application in the design and development of buccal mucoadhesive dosage forms.