Hydrogels for Mucosal Drug Delivery

Abstract

Mucosal tissues are often a desirable site of drug action to treat disease and engage the immune system. However, systemically administered drugs suffer from limited bioavailability in mucosal tissues where technologies to enable direct, local delivery to these sites would prove useful. In this Spotlight on Applications article, we discuss hydrogels as an attractive means for local delivery of therapeutics to address a range of conditions affecting the eye, nose, oral cavity, gastrointestinal, urinary bladder, and vaginal tracts. Considering the barriers to effective mucosal delivery, we provide an overview of the key parameters in the use of hydrogels for these applications. Finally, we highlight recent work demonstrating their use for inflammatory and infectious diseases affecting these tissues.

Exploring the Progress of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characteristics, and Wide-Ranging Applications

“…The incorporation of drugs into the hydrogel matrix provides protection against degradation, enzymatic activity, and rapid clearance, resulting in improved drug stability and sustained release. Tailoring the porosity and swelling properties of the hydrogel allows for precise control over the release kinetics, enabling gradual drug distribution over an extended period [156,157]. Moreover, HA hydrogels can be functionalized with specific targeting ligands or antibodies to achieve targeted drug delivery.…”