Mucoadhesive nanoparticulate systems for peptide drug delivery

This chapter describes the preparation of and methods for evaluating mucoad hesive nanoparticulate systems, including liposomes and polymeric nanoparti cles. Mucoadhesive ability is conferred on the particulate systems by coati ng their surface with mucoadhesive polymers such as chitosan and Carbopol. The feasibility of this surface modification was confirmed by measuring the zeta potential. Several methods of evaluating the mucoadhesive properties of particulate systems have been reported in the literature. We have also d eveloped some novel evaluation procedures including a particle counting met hod using a Coulter counter for polymer-coated liposomes. The mucoadhesive properties of the polymer-coated liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles were confirmed by means of these mucoadhesion tests. In applying these mucoadhe sive nanoparticles to the oral and pulmonary administration of peptide drug s, more effective and prolonged action was observed in comparison with non- coated systems, thereby confirming the usefulness of mucoadhesive nanoparti culate systems for the delivery of peptide drugs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.