Cited by 560Advanced Drug Delivery SystemsPolysaccharides Composition and ApplicationsInhalation and Respiratory Drug Delivery

Physicochemical properties of mucus and their impact on transmucosal drug delivery

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Leal, Jasmim, Smyth, Hugh D.C., Ghosh, Debadyuti·2017·International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Abstract

Mucus is a selective barrier to particles and molecules, preventing penetration to the epithelial surface of mucosal tissues. Significant advances in transmucosal drug delivery have recently been made and have emphasized that an understanding of the basic structure, viscoelastic properties, and interactions of mucus is of great value in the design of efficient drug delivery systems. Mucins, the primary non-aqueous component of mucus, are polymers carrying a complex and heterogeneous structure with domains that undergo a variety of molecular interactions, such as hydrophilic/hydrophobic, hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. These properties are directly relevant to the numerous mucin-associated diseases, as well as delivering drugs across the mucus barrier. Therefore, in this review we discuss regional differences in mucus composition, mucus physicochemical properties, such as pore size, viscoelasticity, pH, and ionic strength. These factors are also discussed with respect to changes in mucus properties as a function of disease state. Collectively, the review seeks to provide a state of the art roadmap for researchers who must contend with this critical barrier to drug delivery.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.09.018

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  • Formulations that cannot penetrate mucous layers and biofilms have low pulmonary bioavailability due to rapid enzymatic deactivation, sequestration and elimination by coughing.

    “However, formulations that cannot penetrate mucous layers and biofilms have low pulmonary bioavailability due to rapid enzymatic deactivation, sequestration and elimination by coughing 22,29 .”

    From Nanotechnology approaches for global infectious diseases (2021) · cites this paper as [22]

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Cone RA 2005 Chapter 4 - Mucus A2 - Mestecky, Jiri Lamm ME McGhee JR Bienenstock J Mayer L Strober W Mucosal Immunology 3 Academic Press Burlington 49 72
  2. McGuckin MA Thornton DJ Whitsett JA 2015 Chapter 14 - Mucins and Mucus A2 - Mestecky, Jiri Strober W Russell MW Kelsall BL Cheroutre H Lambrecht BN Mucosal Immunology 4 Academic Press Boston 231 250
  3. Norris DA Sinko PJ 1997 Effect of size, surface charge, and hydrophobicity on the translocation of polystyrene microspheres through gastrointestinal mucin Journal of Applied Polymer Science 63 1481 1492

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Authors
Leal, J., Smyth, H. D. C., & Ghosh, D.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Corresponding author
Ghosh, Debadyuti
Venue
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-10
Volume
532
Issue
1
Pages
555-572
ISSN
0378-5173 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2754709330
Cited by
560
References
316
Citations by year
2026: 72 · 2025: 98 · 2024: 87 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 72 · 2021: 66 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 1
FWCI
2.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL138251)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Polysaccharides Composition and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Inhalation and Respiratory Drug Delivery
Keywords
mucus, mucosal drug delivery, mucin, mucus barrier, viscoelasticity, pore size, pH, ionic strength, mucosal epithelium, drug delivery systems
MeSH terms
Humans, Mucins, Mucus, Viscosity, Drug Delivery Systems, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

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