Design and Evaluation of a Bio-adhesive Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System for Enhancing Mucosal Absorption

Abstract

This study focuses on the development and evaluation of bioadhesive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (B-SNEDDS) designed to enhance mucosal drug absorption and improve bioavailability for poorly water-soluble drugs. B-SNEDDS formulations were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), considering critical parameters such as oil-to-surfactant ratio, bioadhesive polymer concentration, and cosurfactant percentage. The optimized formulation exhibited a droplet size of 80 nm, a low polydispersity index (0.25), and a high mucoadhesion strength of 2.5 N, significantly improving drug retention on mucosal surfaces. In vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated sustained drug release, with 90% of the drug released over 8 hours, and a 300% increase in permeability compared to conventional SNEDDS. Stability studies showed that the optimized B-SNEDDS formulation remained stable for 3 months. These findings highlight the potential of B-SNEDDS for enhancing mucosal drug delivery and bioavailability, with promising applications for oral, buccal, nasal, and other mucosal routes. The study offers a novel approach for overcoming bioavailability challenges and optimizing therapeutic outcomes for lipophilic drugs.