MUCOADHESIVE POLYMERS IN COLON TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: Mucoadhesive polymers have emerged as crucial components in the realm of drug delivery systems, particularly in the context of targeted treatments within the colon. These polymers possess adhesive properties that enable them to form temporary bonds with mucosal surfaces, extending the contact time of drugs with the colonic mucosa. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mucoadhesive polymers for colon drug delivery systems. Natural polymers such as chitosan and alginate, along with synthetic counterparts like polyacrylic acid derivatives, find application in these systems. The advantages of mucoadhesive polymers lie in their ability to facilitate site-specific drug delivery, thereby minimizing systemic side effects, and in enabling controlled and sustained release of drugs for improved bioavailability. Despite these benefits, challenges including variability in mucosal conditions and the imperative need for biocompatibility must be addressed. The applications of mucoadhesive polymers span diverse medical conditions, including targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs for inflammatory bowel diseases, localized administration of chemotherapeutic agents for colon cancer treatment, and precise delivery of antibiotics for colonic infections. Result and Discussion: As a promising avenue for optimizing colon drug delivery, mucoadhesive polymers offer great potential for the development of effective and well-tolerated treatments for various colonic disorders.