A Review on Mucoadhesive Microspheres as a Novel Drug Delivery System

The objective of this article is to review the principles underlying the development and evaluation ofmucoadhesive microspheres and the research work carried out on these systems. Mucoadhesion is atopic of current interest in the design of drug delivery systems. Mucoadhesion is commonly defined asthe adhesion between two materials, at least one of which is a mucosal surface. Mucoadhesivemicrospheres may be designed to enable a prolonged residence time at the site of application orabsorption and facilitate an intimate contact with the underlying absorption surface and thus contributeto improved and/or better therapeutic performance of drugs. In recent years such mucoadhesivemicrospheres have been developed for oral, buccal, nasal, ocular, rectal and vaginal routes for eithersystemic or local effects. This review article aims to provide an overview of the various aspects ofmucoadhesion, mucoadhesive materials, factors affecting mucoadhesion, evaluating methods, andvarious mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.