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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Advances in Topical and Mucosal Drug Delivery Systems
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Advances in Topical and Mucosal Drug Delivery Systems

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2026 | Viewed by 1011

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Michelle Franz-Montan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba 13083-970, SP, Brazil
Interests: topical anesthesia; oral cavity; oral mucosa; dental anesthesia; drug delivery; mucoadhesive system; dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Topical and mucosal routes offer localized drug delivery pathways, minimizing systemic side effects and maximizing therapeutic efficacy at the target site. Significant advancements in materials science and formulation technologies have recently broadened the application of these routes across diverse therapeutic areas.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest innovations in topical and mucosal drug delivery systems, covering formulation design, novel materials, and targeted delivery strategies. Emerging areas such as micro/nano-particulate delivery, microneedles, and stimuli-responsive gels are revolutionizing topical and mucosal therapeutics. These advancements offer the potential for controlled release, enhanced penetration, and improved therapeutic outcomes.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications detailing novel approaches to topical and mucosal drug delivery.

Prof. Dr. Michelle Franz-Montan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • topical drug delivery
  • mucosal drug delivery
  • transdermal drug delivery
  • controlled release
  • bioavailability enhancement
  • formulation development

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 3940 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Proof-of-Concept Study: Lidocaine and Epinephrine Co-Loaded in a Mucoadhesive Liquid Crystal Precursor System for Topical Oral Anesthesia
by Giovana Maria Fioramonti Calixto, Aylla Mesquita Pestana, Arthur Antunes Costa Bezerra, Marcela Tavares Luiz, Jonatas Lobato Duarte, Marlus Chorilli and Michelle Franz-Montan
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(8), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18081166 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 181
Abstract
Background: Local anesthesia is essential for most dental procedures, but its parenteral administration is often painful. Topical anesthetics are commonly used to minimize local anesthesia pain; however, commercial formulations fail to fully prevent the discomfort of local anesthetic injection. Methods: We developed and [...] Read more.
Background: Local anesthesia is essential for most dental procedures, but its parenteral administration is often painful. Topical anesthetics are commonly used to minimize local anesthesia pain; however, commercial formulations fail to fully prevent the discomfort of local anesthetic injection. Methods: We developed and characterized a novel lidocaine and epinephrine co-loaded liquid crystalline precursor system (LCPS) for topical anesthesia. The formulation was structurally characterized using polarized light microscopy (PLM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Rheological behavior was assessed through continuous and oscillatory rheological analyses. Texture profile analysis, in vitro mucoadhesive force evaluation, in vitro drug release and permeation studies, and an in vivo toxicity assay using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model were also conducted. Results: PLM and SAXS confirmed the transition of the LCPS from a microemulsion to a lamellar liquid crystalline structure upon contact with artificial saliva. This transition enhanced formulation consistency by over 100 times and tripled mucoadhesion strength. The LCPS also provided controlled drug release, reducing permeation flow by 93% compared to the commercial formulation. Importantly, the CAM assay indicated that the LCPS exhibited similar toxicity to the commercial product. Conclusions: The developed LCPS demonstrated promising physicochemical and biological properties for topical anesthesia, including enhanced mucoadhesion, controlled drug delivery, and acceptable biocompatibility. These findings support its potential for in vivo application and future clinical use to reduce pain during dental anesthesia procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Topical and Mucosal Drug Delivery Systems)
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35 pages, 8014 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Nanoparticles for Topical Drug Delivery in Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Comparative Study of Five Repurposed Pharmacological Agents
by Salma A. Fereig, John Youshia, Ghada M. El-Zaafarany, Mona G. Arafa and Mona M. A. Abdel-Mottaleb
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(7), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18071071 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 601
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is a common and distressing side effect of cancer treatment, significantly impacting patients’ psychological well-being. Nanocarriers offer a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery to hair follicles, while chitosan nanoparticles have demonstrated hair-growth-promoting properties. This study explores the potential [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is a common and distressing side effect of cancer treatment, significantly impacting patients’ psychological well-being. Nanocarriers offer a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery to hair follicles, while chitosan nanoparticles have demonstrated hair-growth-promoting properties. This study explores the potential of chitosan nanoparticles as a topical delivery system for five pharmacological agents—phenobarbital, pioglitazone, rifampicin, N-acetylcysteine, and tacrolimus—to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Methods: Drug-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation technique and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TEM imaging. Their efficacy was assessed in a cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia model in C57BL/6 mice through macroscopic observation, histopathological examination, and scanning electron microscopy of regrown hair. Results: The prepared particles were spherical, cationic, and between 205 and 536 nm in size. The entrapment efficiencies ranged from 8% to 63%. All five drugs mitigated follicular dystrophy, shifting the hair follicle response from dystrophic catagen to dystrophic anagen. Phenobarbital demonstrated the most significant hair regrowth and quality improvements, followed by N-acetyl cysteine and pioglitazone. Tacrolimus showed moderate efficacy, while rifampicin was the least effective. Conclusions: These findings suggest that phenobarbital-loaded chitosan nanoparticles represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, warranting further investigation for clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Topical and Mucosal Drug Delivery Systems)
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