MUCOADHESIVE AND TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: CURRENT PERSPECTIVE

Mucoadhesive and transdermal drug delivery systems have garnered significant attention as innovative strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy, improve patient compliance, and overcome limitations associated with conventional drug administration. Mucoadhesive systems facilitate drug retention at mucosal surfaces—such as buccal, nasal, ocular, and gastrointestinal tissues—by interacting with mucin and epithelial tissues, thereby prolonging residence time and enabling controlled drug release. These systems are particularly advantageous for drugs with extensive first-pass metabolism or poor intestinal absorption. Advances in polymer science, including the development of biocompatible and stimuli-responsive mucoadhesive polymers, have further optimized targeted delivery and patient acceptability. Conversely, transdermal drug delivery leverages the skin as a portal for systemic drug uptake, bypassing hepatic first-pass effects and maintaining steady plasma drug levels. Despite the formidable barrier posed by the stratum corneum, innovations such as chemical enhancers, microneedle patches, iontophoresis, and nanocarrier-based formulations have significantly expanded the repertoire of therapeutics amenable to transdermal delivery. Current research emphasizes the integration of multifunctional materials, smart responsive systems, and personalized dosing platforms to address chronic diseases like pain, hormonal imbalances, and cardiovascular disorders. The convergence of mucoadhesive and transdermal technologies with nanotechnology and advanced biomaterials has reshaped the drug delivery landscape, offering promising routes for non-invasive, controlled, and targeted therapy. However, challenges regarding formulation stability, regulatory approval, and patient variability persist. Future perspectives focus on enhancing mechanistic understanding, ensuring scalable manufacturing, and translating laboratory innovations into clinically viable products. Collectively, mucoadhesive and transdermal approaches represent dynamic and impactful modalities in modern pharmaceutical science.