Thermoresponsive mucoadhesive hybrid gels in advanced drug delivery systems

Thermoresponsive polymers have seen extensive use in the development of stimuli-responsive drug formulations for oral, buccal, nasal, ocular, topical, rectal, parenteral, and vaginal routes of administration. Despite their great potential, their use has been limited by various obstacles, such as undesirable high polymer concentration, wide gelation temperature, low gel strength, poor mucoadhesiveness, and short retention. Mucoadhesive polymers have been suggested to improve the mucoadhesive features of thermoresponsive gels, leading to increased drug bioavailability and efficacy. This article highlights the use of in-situ thermoresponsive mucoadhesive hydrogel blends or hybrids that have been developed and assessed in various routes of administration.