Oral Transmucosal Drug Delivery Systems for Local and Systemic Disease Treatment

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 934

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Sezione di Biochimica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
2. Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
Interests: cell–material interactions; drug delivery; biological characterization of nano- and micromaterials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral transmucosal drug delivery systems represent a cornerstone of modern pharmacology, offering non-invasive, patient-friendly, and cost-effective methods for the treatment of local and systemic diseases. Advances in pharmaceutical science have expanded the potential of oral transmucosal formulations, enabling targeted delivery, controlled release, enhanced bioavailability, and improved therapeutic efficacy. A key aspect here is the role of mucoadhesion, which prolongs drug retention and enhances absorption at mucosal surfaces, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic efficacy across various medical conditions.

This Special Issue explores the most advanced innovations in oral transmucosal drug delivery systems, including the development of mucoadhesive systems, novel excipients, nanotechnology platforms, and advanced drug-release mechanisms. The collection includes preclinical and clinical studies, as well as in vitro and ex vivo research, providing insights into the interaction between drug formulations and biological barriers. The topics address approaches to overcome physiological barriers, optimize drug solubility and stability, and assess performance through reliable in vitro and ex vivo models. This Issue brings together diverse perspectives to present a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge advancements in oral transmucosal drug delivery, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating the development of innovative therapeutics to address the ever-changing needs of healthcare.

Dr. Giuseppina Nocca
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • transmucosal drug delivery
  • transmucosal formulations
  • excipients
  • nanotechnology
  • drug release

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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25 pages, 6641 KiB  
Article
Development of an Innovative Dual Construct for Targeted Drug Delivery in the Oral Cavity
by Elena Mazzinelli, Ilaria Favuzzi, Marianna Messina, Giorgia Fratocchi, Federica Vincenzoni, Eleonora Santo Stefano, Francesco Cecconi, Carlo Lajolo, Alessia Basco, Raffaella Castagnola, Massimo Cordaro, Francesco Scilla, Valerio Papa, Alessandro Arcovito, Ilaria Cacciotti and Giuseppina Nocca
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(2), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17020272 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 669
Abstract
Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the oral mucosa, classified among potentially malignant oral disorders (OPMDs). It is characterized by keratinocyte apoptosis and persistent inflammation. Standard treatments involve topical corticosteroids administered via mouthwashes, gels, or ointments, but these [...] Read more.
Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the oral mucosa, classified among potentially malignant oral disorders (OPMDs). It is characterized by keratinocyte apoptosis and persistent inflammation. Standard treatments involve topical corticosteroids administered via mouthwashes, gels, or ointments, but these require frequent application, have limited retention, and may cause side effects. To address these limitations, this study aimed to develop an innovative dexamethasone delivery system targeting the oral cavity, based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers coated with chitosan (CS) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. Methods: CS-coated PLA fibers were characterized for their mucoadhesive and cytocompatibility properties, while PLGA nanoparticles were analyzed for size, shape, encapsulation efficiency, cellular uptake, drug release efficiency, and cytocompatibility. Results: Both polymers demonstrated cytocompatibility, and chitosan-coated PLA fibers exhibited mucoadhesive properties. PLGA nanoparticles were effectively internalized by the cells and successfully released the drug into the cytoplasm. The combination of CS-coated PLA fibers and PLGA nanoparticles provided dual benefits: mucoadhesion and efficient cellular uptake, even under conditions simulating salivation. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of the proposed system to improve mucoadhesive drug delivery. Further optimization is needed to enhance patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy. Full article
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