Mucoadhesive Biopolysaccharides as Potential Platform for Novel Delivery of Therapeutic Agents

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of pharmaceuticals by improving drug residence time, bioavailability, and site-specific targeting. Among various materials investigated, biopolysaccharides have gained significant attention due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and inherent mucoadhesive properties. Natural polymers such as chitosan, alginate, pectin, hyaluronic acid, and cellulose derivatives exhibit strong interactions with mucosal surfaces through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and polymer chain entanglement. These properties enable prolonged drug retention at mucosal sites, controlled drug release, and enhanced permeation across biological barriers. Mucoadhesive biopolysaccharides have been explored for diverse routes of administration, including oral, buccal, nasal, ocular, vaginal, and pulmonary delivery. Furthermore, chemical modification and nanostructuring of these polymers have expanded their functionality, enabling targeted delivery of small molecules, proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. This review highlights the mechanisms of mucoadhesion, key biopolysaccharides used in drug delivery, formulation approaches, and recent advances in their application as versatile platforms for novel therapeutic delivery systems. The continued development of mucoadhesive biopolysaccharide-based carriers holds substantial potential for improving treatment outcomes and patient compliance.