Recent advances in Mucoadhesive Oral Suspensions: Design Principles, In-vitro Assessment, and Clinical Potential
K Chandramohan, R Nepolean, M Nelavanbu*, D Anbarasu and N Jayaram
March 02, 2026
DOI : 10.56831/PSSRP-07-246
Abstract
Mucoadhesive oral suspensions are novel approach to overcome the limitations of traditional oral drug delivery system including rapid salivary washout, enzymatic degradation, low solubility, and extensive first pass metabolism. These formulations significantly expand mucosal residence time, increase local and systemic absorption, by forming strong interactions between therapeutic polymers and mucin glycoproteins, and hence increase the overall therapeutic efficacy. The basic design parameters in these systems include the rational choice of mucoadhesive polymers, the ability to control viscosity, tuning of drug polymer compatibility, particle size, and fining of pH, ionic balance, and diffusion, erosion, and swelling based release. Evaluation methods based on in vitro studies such as mucoadhesive strength tests, detachment force tests, plate methods of Wilhelmy, wash off tests, ex vivo residence tests, and the overall stability profiling give predictive indication of the desired behavior of such suspensions in-vivo. The recent developments in the discipline, including the introduction of nanoparticles of systems, combo systems of polymer, hybrid suspension gel technologies and 3D print constructions highlight the growing versatility and predictivity of these delivery modes, culminating in an anticipated pivotal role in future accurate oral therapeutics.
Keywords: Mucoadhesive Suspensions; Oral Drug Delivery; Controlled Release
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