Bernkop-Schnürch lab - Mucoadhesive oligomers, polymers, and nanoparticles
The non-parenteral administration of drugs offers several advantages over parenteral administration, such as simple and convenient application for patients and a strong local effect. Particularly advantageous are mucoadhesive application systems, which establish close contact with the mucous membrane and prolong the residence time of the therapeutics. Ionic forces, hydrogen bridges and the formation of disulfide bridges between thiolated carriers and cysteine-rich sub-domains of mucus glycoproteins can promote mucoadhesion and thus increase the efficacy of these systems. In this project we focus on the synthesis and application of cationic and thiolated nanoparticles, as well as oligo- and polymers as mucoadhesive delivery systems. Our results to date show excellent application potential for these systems in the non-parenteral administration of drugs, with prolonged residence time in the mucosa and sustained drug release.