Multifunctional polymers mucoadhesive

In a recent study, some authors proposed the employment of thiolated polymers obtained by the immobilization of thiol groups on well-established multifunctional polymers such as poly(acrylates) and chitosans as functional agents having mucoadhesive, penetration enhancement, and enzyme-inhibiting properties [94,95]. 

The failure in increasing residence time of mucoadhesive systems in the human intestinal tract has led scientists to the evaluation of multifunctional mucoadhesive polymers. Research in the area of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems has shed light on other properties of some of the mucoadhesive polymers. One important class of mucoadhesive polymers, poly(acrylic acid) derivatives, has been identified as potent inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes [72-74]. The interaction between various types of mucoadhesive polymers and epithelial cells has a direct influence on the permeability of mucosal epithelia by means of changing the gating properties of the tight jrmctions. More than being only adhesives, some mucoadhesive polymers can therefore be considered as a novel class of multifunctional macromolecules with a number of desirable properties for their use as delivery adjuvants [72,75]. 

Protease Inhibitors Based on Multifunctional Mucoadhesive Polymers. . 75... 

In spite of these formidable challenges, the attractiveness of oral route has fueled the exploration of an incredibly diverse set of strategies to deliver proteins and peptides and the subject has been exhaustively reviewed. The various approaches include permeation enhancers, enzyme inhibitors, mucoadhesives, multifunctional matrices that simultaneously incorporate the above strategies, enteric coatings that offer protection from the acidic environment of the stomach, encapsulation (liposomes, microspheres, and nanoparticles), pH-sensitive polymers, microemulsions, carriers (delivery agents), and protein modification either to simply enhance permeability or to exploit specific transporters. While proof-of-concept has been demonstrated with most of these delivery systems in animal... 

---