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Buccal Drug Delivery: History
Please note this is an old version of this entry, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Contributor: Yu Peng

Buccal drug delivery is the administration of a therapeutic substance to the mucosal lining of the cheek for local action or absorption across the epithelium. A formulation contacts a moist surface exposed to saliva, tissue movement, and clearance into the gastrointestinal tract [1][2]. Drug release and mucosal permeation occur in sequence, while saliva can dilute dissolved material and reduce its residence time. Mucoadhesive polymers prolong contact through interactions with mucus and the underlying mucosal surface [1]. The epithelial barrier regulates passage from the formulation toward the vascularized tissue beneath it, so molecular size and physicochemical characteristics influence absorption [2]. Films, tablets, gels, and devices provide different arrangements for maintaining contact and controlling exposure [1][3]. Device-based approaches can also address the limited passage of therapeutic peptides across the mucosal barrier [3]. For biological macromolecules, preservation of activity and transport across intact tissue remain separate requirements that connect formulation behaviour with the amount reaching the local or systemic compartment [4].

  • buccal mucosa
  • mucoadhesion
  • epithelial permeability
  • transmucosal absorption

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems·Pharmaceutical Science·Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics·Life Sciences

References

  1. N Salamatmiller; M Chittchang; T Johnston; The use of mucoadhesive polymers in buccal drug delivery. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2005, 57, 1666-1691, 10.1016/j.addr.2005.07.003.
  2. Vanessa Hearnden; Vidya Sankar; Katrusha Hull; Danica Vidović Juras; Martin Greenberg; A. Ross Kerr; Peter B. Lockhart; Lauren L. Patton; Stephen Porter; Martin H. Thornhill; et al. New developments and opportunities in oral mucosal drug delivery for local and systemic disease. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2012, 64, 16-28, 10.1016/j.addr.2011.02.008.
  3. Sahil Malhotra; Thomas Lijnse; Eoin O’ Cearbhaill; David J. Brayden; Devices to overcome the buccal mucosal barrier to administer therapeutic peptides. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2025, 220, 115572, 10.1016/j.addr.2025.115572.
  4. Aaron C. Anselmo; Yatin Gokarn; Samir Mitragotri; Non-invasive delivery strategies for biologics. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2018, 18, 19-40, 10.1038/nrd.2018.183.
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