Montmorillonite-enhanced micro- and nanocomposites for targeted and controlled oral drug delivery systems

Abstract

Oral drug delivery systems (ODDSs) offer numerous advantages, such as convenient administration, high patient adherence, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges like enzyme barriers and first-pass metabolism limit their effectiveness, and traditional methods often lack features for controlled release and targeted delivery, tending to cause severe systemic toxic side effects. Recent advancements in drug delivery have introduced alternative delivery vehicles. Montmorillonite (Mt), an FDA-approved biocompatible nanomaterial, stands out due to its high specific surface area, ideal adsorption capacity and cation exchange properties. This review explores preparation, modification, and application of Mt-based micro- and nanocomposites (MNCs) for ODDSs. Drugs encapsulated in Mt-based MNCs are shielded from the gastrointestinal environment, facilitating delayed and targeted drug release and enhancing drug bioavailability. The paper provides insights into the rational selection of Mt-based MNCs for advanced ODDSs, highlighting their potential to overcome limitations of traditional drug delivery systems.