Transbuccal Drug Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Approaches

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a growing fascination with delivering therapeutic agents through transmucosal (buccal, sublingual, nasal, rectal, and vaginal) drug delivery systems. Drug delivery through oral transmucosal tissue is effective, beneficial, and easily accessible; however, most commercially available formulations are limited to tablets and films, even though there are many formulation approaches and favorable opportunities for the buccal and sublingual routes. When compared to more conventional oral and parenteral dose forms, the buccal mucosa offers several advantages for regulated drug administration over the long term, including improved drug bioavailability and less systemic toxicity. Since the oral mucosa is well-vascularized, medication molecules bypass the liver's metabolic pathway and reach the systemic circulation straightaway. Additionally, it is an excellent site for the systemic administration of drugs that are not well absorbed and a great alternative for the non-intrusive administration of potent peptide and protein drug molecules. Lots of people are interested in and working on the next generation of mucosal delivery systems for the mouth. This review delves into an array of subjects, including the oral mucosa's structure, absorption, and permeation pathways; the formulations for oral transbuccal mucosa that improve permeation; and the utilization of existing transbuccal dosage forms to enhance transbuccal drug delivery for the treatment of diverse medical conditions.

Keywords: Transbuccal drug delivery systems; Muco-adhesion; First-pass metabolism; Lectins