A Comprehensive Review on Nanoparticle-Based Buccal Drug Delivery Systems

The buccal route of drug delivery has gained increasing importance as an alternative to conventional oral administration due to its ability to bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism and enhance drug bioavailability. However, limitations such as low permeability and short residence time restrict its broader application. The integration of nanotechnology into buccal drug delivery systems has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these challenges. Nanoparticles improve drug solubility, stability, mucoadhesion, and controlled release, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Various nanoparticulate carriers including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and dendrimers have been extensively explored for buccal administration. This review provides a detailed overview of the anatomy and physiology of the buccal mucosa, mechanisms of drug absorption, types of nanoparticles used, formulation approaches, evaluation parameters, advantages, limitations, and future prospects of nanoparticle-based buccal drug delivery systems.