Mucus-penetrating nanoparticles for drug and gene delivery to mucosal tissues.

For the past few decades, there has been a considerable research interest in the area of drug delivery using particulate delivery systems as carriers for small and large molecules. Particulate systems like nanoparticles have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug molecules. They have been used in vivo to protect the drug entity in the systemic circulation, restrict access of the drug to the chosen sites and to deliver the drug at a controlled and sustained rate to the site of action. Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for drug delivery research to increase therapeutic benefit, while minimizing side effects. Here, we review various aspects of nanoparticle formulation, characterization, effect of their characteristics and their applications in delivery of drug molecules and therapeutic genes.

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Nanoparticles - A Review

Oral drug delivery with polymeric nanoparticles: the gastrointestinal mucus barriers.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents the brain uptake of most pharmaceuticals. This property arises from the epithelial-like tight junctions within the brain capillary endothelium. The BBB is anatomically and functionally distinct from the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier at the choroid plexus. Certain small molecule drugs may cross the BBB via lipid-mediated free diffusion, providing the drug has a molecular weight <400 Da and forms <8 hydrogen bonds. These chemical properties are lacking in the majority of small molecule drugs, and all large molecule drugs. Nevertheless, drugs can be reengineered for BBB transport, based on the knowledge of the endogenous transport systems within the BBB. Small molecule drugs can be synthesized that access carrier-mediated transport (CMT) systems within the BBB. Large molecule drugs can be reengineered with molecular Trojan horse delivery systems to access receptor-mediated transport (RMT) systems within the BBB. Peptide and antisense radiopharmaceuticals are made brain-penetrating with the combined use of RMT-based delivery systems and avidin–biotin technology. Knowledge on the endogenous CMT and RMT systems expressed at the BBB enable new solutions to the problem of BBB drug transport.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1038/jcbfm.2012.126

Drug transport across the blood-brain barrier.

Barrier properties of mucus.

Diffusion of drugs in native and purified gastrointestinal mucus

Purpose Mucus, a potential diffusional barrier to drug absorption, is a complex mixture of mucin and other components The objective of this study was to investigate the composition of native pig intestinal mucus (PIM) and the influence of identified mucus components on drug diffusion

The Influence of Intestinal Mucus Components on the Diffusion of Drugs

Degradable starch microspheres as a nasal delivery system for insulin

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate whetherdopamine is transferred along the olfactory pathway to the brain followingnasal administration to mice.

Erik Björk

Papers

Diffusion of drugs in native and purified gastrointestinal mucus

The Influence of Intestinal Mucus Components on the Diffusion of Drugs

Degradable starch microspheres as a nasal delivery system for insulin

Transfer of dopamine in the olfactory pathway following nasal administration in mice

Levels of dopamine in blood and brain following nasal administration to rats