Abstract

MUCOADHESIVE MICROENCAPSULATION: A NEW TOOL IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

*R. Santosh Kumar, G.V. Radha and T. Naga Satya Yagnesh

ABSTRACT

The microencapsulation has a major role in solving the problems regarding targeting of drug to a specific organ tissue and controlling the rate of drug delivery to the target site. Microencapsulated drug delivery system plays a major role in developing oral controlled release systems. Microspheres constitute an important part of novel drug delivery system by virtue of their small size and efficient carrier capacity. Due to their short residence time, bioadhesive characteristics can be coupled to microspheres to develop mucoadhesive microspheres. Mucoadhesive microspheres have advantages like efficient absorption and enhanced bioavailability of the drugs due to a high surface to volume ratio, a much more intimate contact with the mucus layer, controlled and sustained release of drug from dosage form and specific targeting of drugs to the absorption site. The present review provides an overview of various aspects of mucoadhesive microsphere based on various polymers, methodology of preparation of mucoadhesive microspheres, method of evaluation and their applications in drug delivery.

Keywords: Microencapsulation, Mucoadhesion, Polymers, Applications.