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Mucoadhesion

Meaning

Mucoadhesion is a biophysical phenomenon defined as the ability of a synthetic or natural material to adhere to a mucosal membrane, which is the protective lining of various bodily cavities, including the mouth, nasal passages, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina. This property is of significant clinical interest in pharmaceutical science, particularly for drug delivery systems designed to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of therapeutic agents, such as hormones. Effective mucoadhesion ensures prolonged contact time between the drug formulation and the absorptive surface, optimizing drug uptake.