How to Measure Mucoadhesion/Bioadhesion

MUCOADHESION is the process by which a drug delivery device is designed to stick to a part of the gut or other mucosae, thus delivering drug to a precise site in the body for an extended period. As the majority of infections affecting man and animals take place or start in mucous membranes, this gives more effective treatment of some diseases and can also protect drugs from some of the harsh conditions in the body.

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are used to treat several conditions in the mouth, rectum, vagina and nose and have been investigated as treatments for stomach ulcers and cancer.

The TA.XTplus Texture Analyser is now an established tool for measuring bioadhesion bond strength. The determination of the adhesive properties of pharmaceutical dosage forms is important in their development and several methods have been developed for these measurements.

Tests of solid dosage forms, semi-solids such as ointments and gels and even powders and systems which solidify on contact with the target organ can be performed using alternative measuring probes. Generally the dosage form is attached to the underside of the measuring probe. Meanwhile the mucosa is located underneath (usually in a liquid environment mimicking that of where the dosage it to be employed). The probe applies a chosen amount of force to the mucosa for a chosen period of time after which the force is measured to separate the two surfaces.

Typical properties that can be obtained from a texture analysis graph:

Adhesiveness, Debonding Distance, Work of Adhesion

Typical Texture Analyser graph with annotated properties of a mucoadhesion test

Typical Probe/Fixture used for Measurement:

Mucoadhesion Rig >>

The above are only typical examples of mucoadhesion measurement. We can, of course, design and manufacture probes or fixtures that are bespoke to your sample and its specific measurement.

Once your measurement is performed, our expertise in its graphical interpretation is unparalleled – no-one understands texture analysis like we do. Not only can we develop the most suitable and accurate method for the testing of your sample, but we can prepare analysis procedures that obtain the desired parameters from your curve and drop them into a spreadsheet or report designed around your requirements.

Show me more properties that a Texture Analyser can measure...

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