A Review on Mucoadhesive Microspheres

Abstract

Carrier technology offers an intelligent approach for drug delivery by coupling the drug to a carrier particle such as microspheres, nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomesetc which modulates the release and absorption characteristics of the drug. 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 provide better drug absorption as they get adhere to the mucosal surface and release drug for prolonged time. 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 study aims to provide an overview about the mucoadhesive microspheres, their methods of preparation and their evaluation in brief.