Development of Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery System Using Phenylboronic Acid Functionalized Poly(D,L‐lactide)‐b‐Dextran Nanoparticles

Mucoadhesive NP drug carriers have attracted substantial interest as a potential treatment for anterior eye diseases. NPs composed of PLA-Dex surface functionalized with a mucoadhesive ligand, PBA, were developed as drug carriers with particle sizes ranging from 25 to 28 nm. Using CycA as a model drug, we showed that NPs encapsulated up to 13.7 wt% CycA and exhibited sustained release for up to 5 d in vitro at a clinically relevant dose. We fine-tuned the PBA density on the NP surface to maximize the mucin-NP interaction without compromising the particle stability in vitro. This block copolymer conjugate may be useful to improve the bioavailability of topical formulations.