Analytical Methods for the Characterisation of Multifunctional Polymers for Oral Drug Delivery

Abstract

Multifunctional polymers are highly promising auxiliary agents for the oral delivery of a broad variety of drugs. The main features of multifunctional polymers include controlled release, mucoadhesive, cohesive and permeation enhancing properties and enzyme as well efflux pump inhibitory properties. Within the current review, the most important multifunctional polymers for oral drug delivery as well as various analytical methods including the rotating cylinder method, tensile studies, confocal laser scanning microscopy, permeation studies, and also enzyme and efflux pump inhibition studies are discussed.